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Neurorehabilitation in Adults With Traumatic Upper Extremity Amputation: A Scoping Review
Jake Rydland1, Stephanie Spiegel1, Olivia Wolfe1
1Division of Physical Therapy, 1371Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair
|December 30, 2021
Summary
Understanding neurobehavioral mechanisms is crucial for upper extremity amputation recovery. This review highlights gaps in neurorehabilitation research for traumatic upper limb loss, emphasizing the need for individualized approaches and clearer neural mechanism insights.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Prosthetics Engineering
Background:
- Current amputation literature predominantly addresses lower extremity amputation and prosthetic engineering.
- A significant knowledge gap exists regarding neurobehavioral mechanisms in upper extremity amputation and their impact on recovery and prosthesis use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review identifying and summarizing literature on adult traumatic upper limb amputation.
- To explore recovery, functional outcomes, and the influence of neuroplasticity in upper limb amputees.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across Academic Search Complete EBSCO, OVID Medline, and Cochrane databases.
- Screening and review of articles adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines.
Main Results:
- Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria, focusing on sensory involvement (7), neuroplastic changes (3), and motor control (1).
- Findings indicate an incomplete understanding of central and peripheral neural mechanisms for motor rehabilitation.
- The value of individualized neurorehabilitation approaches for upper limb loss was demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- A notable gap exists in understanding the role and specifics of neurorehabilitation post-amputation.
- Future research requires focused rehabilitation parameters, demographic data, and clearer insights into neural mechanisms to enhance functional recovery after traumatic upper extremity amputation.
