Reaction times of normal subjects and amputees with below-knee and above-knee prostheses during stepping.

Reaction times (RTs) of nine normal subjects and 11 amputees with prosthetic limbs were examined in standing posture and during stepping movement. There were significant differences of RTs between standing and stepping, and between the phases of the stepping cycle in both the normal subjects and the BK or AK amputees with prosthetic limbs. The attentional demand during stepping movement and the applicability of probe RT procedure to assess prosthetic limb were briefly discussed.