Gait and Balance Rehabilitation for Lower Limb Microprocessor Prosthetics

Abstract

Although microprocessor-controlled prosthetics (MCPs) can enhance prosthetic function, many users continue to experience gait asymmetries, balance impairments, and compensatory movement strategies, suggesting that rehabilitation remains essential to optimize recovery. Therefore, the purpose of this scoping review was to examine the role of rehabilitation in improving gait and balance outcomes in lower-limb amputees with MCPs. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, six studies met the inclusion criteria, representing 20 participants and a range of rehabilitation approaches, including physiotherapy, gait retraining, balance training, and home-based exercise. Across the included studies, rehabilitation was consistently associated with improvements in at least one gait or balance outcome, including walking speed, endurance, functional mobility, balance performance, fall risk, and confidence. Overall, the findings suggest that rehabilitation may enhance outcomes in MCP users, although the current evidence remains limited and heterogeneous.