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Longitudinal study of prosthesis use in veterans with upper limb amputation
Linda Resnik1,2, Matthew Borgia1, Sarah Biester1
1Research Department, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA.
Prosthetics and Orthotics International
|April 9, 2021
Summary
Prosthesis use remained stable for Veterans over one year. Dissatisfaction and less frequent use predict upper limb prosthesis abandonment, informing interventions to improve user experience.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Limited understanding of upper limb prosthesis use patterns and satisfaction.
- Need for data on transitions in prosthesis use (cessation or initiation).
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe changes in prosthesis use over one year in Veterans with upper limb amputation.
- To examine rates of new prosthesis receipt.
- To compare satisfaction between new prosthesis recipients and non-recipients.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal survey design.
- Structured telephone interviews with 808 Veterans one year after a baseline interview.
- Analysis of prosthesis use, frequency, intensity, and satisfaction.
Main Results:
- Prosthesis use, frequency, intensity, and types remained stable over one year for most Veterans.
- Approximately 24% reported using a different terminal device at follow-up.
- Lower baseline use frequency/intensity correlated with discontinuation; higher use correlated with continued use.
- New prosthesis recipients reported higher satisfaction scores.
- Lower baseline satisfaction was linked to prosthesis abandonment.
Conclusions:
- Prosthesis abandonment is associated with dissatisfaction and reduced prosthesis use.
- Findings can identify individuals at risk for abandonment.
- Interventions can be developed to enhance the prosthesis experience and reduce abandonment rates.
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