Case Report: Using the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale to Quantify the Impact of Prosthetic Knee Choice on Balance Confidence

In Brief The Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) is a relatively recent self-report survey instrument used to quantify balance confidence. Its use among the lower extremity amputee population has been objectively validated. However, there are currently no reports in which the ABC has been used to quantify changes in balance confidence after targeted intervention. The ABC was administered to our case subject immediately before and shortly after a significant alteration to his prosthesis in which his existing rotary hydraulic knee was replaced with a microprocessor controlled hydraulic knee. His initial ABC score of 69 was increased 30% to 89. Although larger cohort studies are needed, the ABC is suggested as an easily administered but an efficient means to quantify changes in balance confidence among the lower extremity amputee population after targeted interventions. The Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale is a relatively recent self-report survey instrument used to quantify balance confidence. Given the importance of balance confidence to overall function, societal involvement, and general health, there is great value in the ability to quantify this confidence and changes that occur to it following targeted clinical interventions. The ABC was administered to our case subject immediately before and shortly after a significant alteration to his prosthesis; his initial ABC score of 69 was increased 30% to 89. Although larger cohort studies are needed, the ABC is suggested as an easily administered but effi-cient means to quantify changes in balance confidence among the lower-extremity amputee population following targeted interventions.