Hanger, Austin, Texas, announced results of its Outcomes Assessment and Dissemination (OASIS 1) study, which evaluated the effectiveness of four common microprocessor-controlled knee (MPK) models. Outcomes in mobility, satisfaction, quality of life and injurious falls were examined for people using Blatchford’s Orion, Freedom Innovations’ Plié, Össur’s Rheo, and Ottobock’s C-Leg.
The retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes among 602 people showed a degree of parity among the four MPK models, with no differences reported in mobility or satisfaction. There was, however, a significant reduction in injurious fall rates for C-Leg and Orion users compared to injurious fall rates for patients with amputations due to diabetes or vascular disease using a non-microprocessor knee. For quality of life, differences existed for the C-Leg versus Plié. Additionally, the study reported similar age-related changes in outcomes with each MPK.
The study, conducted by Hanger Clinic’s Clinical and Scientific Affairs Department in collaboration with leading researchers, clinical, and academic institutions, is anticipated to be the first of a series that will compare a variety of orthotic and prosthetic components across different patient groups.
“Hanger is committed to conducting meaningful clinical research to better serve our patients,” said James Campbell, PhD, chief clinical officer. “The OASIS 1 study is significant in that we have harnessed our research capabilities to objectively measure differences across various manufacturers’ devices, not just device categories, and carries the advantage of being completed and disseminated absent of potential bias due to manufacturer funding or publication. The ability to select components from various manufacturers that yield the best outcomes is critical to effective patient care.”
The open-access study, “OASIS 1: Retrospective analysis of four different microprocessor knee types,” was published in the Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering.
