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Science News: A Better Way to Move: Evaluating Assistive Devices for Easier Ambulation

Jun 16, 2025, 14:11 by Maggie Schmidt (Admin)
Injuries to the knee, lower leg, ankle, and foot accounted for nearly 17% of all emergency department visits in 2017. Researchers explored if using a hands-free crutch (HFC) displays potential for easier completion of ADLs and reduction in energy requirements.
Submitted by: Oksana Sayko, MD
Edited by: Nakul Katyal, MD

Citation: Canter DJ, Canter DJ, Reidy PT, Finucan TP, Timmerman KL. A comparison of energy expenditure and perceived exertion between standard axillary crutches, knee scooters, and a hands-free crutch. PM R. 2024;16(6):543-552. doi:10.1002/pmrj.13109

Summary: Injuries to the knee, lower leg, ankle, and foot accounted for nearly 17% of all emergency department visits in 2017. The functional limitations resulting from these injuries, along with weight-bearing restrictions, often necessitate use of assistive devices. Ambulation using standard axillary crutches (SACs) is associated with increased energy expenditure (EE) and decreased ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). The researchers explored if using a hands-free crutch (HFC) displays potential for easier completion of ADLs and reduction in energy requirements.


This study was a randomized crossover-controlled trial. 20 health college students participated and completed a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) at 50 m/min, an ADLs course, and a 2-flight stair climb with SACs, HFC, knee scooter (KS), and unassisted ambulation (UA). The order of trial conditions was randomized. EE, HR, time to complete ADLs course and stair climb, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during each condition were obtained. One-way analysis of variance was performed to compare EE, heart rate (HR )response, and RPE between the assistive devices and UA.

In all outcomes UA resulted in lower EE, HR, and RPE compared to all the assistive devices (p < .05). For the ADLs course, EE was the same for the three assistive devices, whereas HR was significantly lower for HFC compared to SACs and KS (p < .05). RPE for HFC and KS was lower than SACs (p < .05). For the 6MWT, each device significantly differed from the other devices for EE, HR, and RPE, with KS eliciting the lowest values, followed by HFC. For the stair climbing task, HFC elicited lower EE, HR, and RPE than SACs. Fourteen participants indicated their overall preference for HFCs. In individuals prescribed weight-bearing restrictions, using a HFC may offer an easier and more preferred alternative to more commonly used SACs during ambulation, stair climbing, and other ADLs.

Comments: This study is useful for patients needing assistive devices, especially when decisions on the use of assistive devices need to be made for patients with comorbidities. 


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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will be content of abstracts be viewable, as opposed to just the titles?
A: The abstract content will be available at the annual meeting during the Poster Hall hours. We do not provide abstract presenter information or slides ahead of time. All available information can be found in the Â鶹APP Abstract Guide online when it becomes available.

Q: How do I reach out to abstract or session presenters for an interview?
A: We do not offer member contact information. To connect with abstract or session presenters, review the Â鶹APP Annual Meeting Program when available. Find the topics of interest and connect with the presenter after their lecture or during their abstract poster session time. Currently there is no interview option for virtual attendees.

Q: When can I share information?
A: The embargo on the abstracts themselves is lifted when they have been published in Muscle & Nerve and online in the Â鶹APP Abstract Guide. However, the additional information beyond what is in the abstract itself is still embargoed. 

Â鶹APP requires information that goes beyond that which is contained within the abstract, e.g., the release of data not included in the abstract, discussion of the abstract done as part of a scientific presentation, etc. to be embargoed until the start of the annual meeting. Please see the Abstract Embargo Policy.

Q: Will the Abstract Award Reception feature the best posters? 
A: The Abstract Award Reception is a social hour in honor of the abstract award winners where all authors, including award winners, will be available to discuss research. 

Q: Original research is ONLY presented as posters, correct?
A: Yes - the research is presented in the Poster Hall via abstract posters.