Effects of Implementing a Self-Care Program for Adults With Lower Limb Prostheses.

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Health Education

Background:

• Lower limb prostheses are crucial for restoring independence in individuals with limb loss.
• Effective self-care strategies are essential for optimizing the use and longevity of prostheses.
• A gap exists in structured self-care programs for adults using lower limb prostheses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a self-care program on adults with lower limb prostheses.
• To assess improvements in knowledge and practice related to prosthesis management.
• To determine the program's effect on overall patient satisfaction and independence.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental research design was employed.
• A sample of 81 adults with lower limb prostheses participated.
• Data were collected using questionnaires and the Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales (TAPES).

Main Results:

• Participant knowledge of self-care increased from 22.2% to 88.9% post-program.
• Adequate practice levels rose from 13.6% to 100.0% after the program.
• The self-care program demonstrated statistically significant improvements in knowledge and practice (p < .001).

Conclusions:

• The implemented self-care program significantly enhanced knowledge and practice in adults with lower limb prostheses.
• This program is effective in improving prosthesis users' self-management skills.
• Further research should explore long-term outcomes and broader implementation.