A scoping review on upper extremity prostheses: Satisfaction, barriers, and their implications in resource-limited countries

Lorenzo Martin L Dizon ¹, Carl Froilan D Leochico ^1,2,3,4, Reykjavik S Ramirez ^1,5,6

⁰Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, St. Luke's Medical Center, Quezon City, Philippines.

Prosthetics and Orthotics International +

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March 22, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Prosthetic abandonment rates are unclear, especially in low-resource nations. Key barriers include prosthesis design and patient-specific factors, suggesting tailored solutions can improve upper limb prosthesis use.

Area Of Science

Rehabilitation Medicine
Prosthetics and Orthotics
Global Health

Background

Prosthetic abandonment rates are poorly understood, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Upper limb prostheses are crucial for restoring function and improving quality of life.
Identifying barriers to prosthetic use is essential for enhancing patient adherence.

Approach

A scoping review systematically searched literature for studies on upper limb prosthesis satisfaction and barriers.
Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to a database of 425 identified studies.
Seven cross-sectional studies were included in the final analysis.

Key Points

Prosthesis characteristics (type, comfort, weight, functionality, price, availability) significantly impact user satisfaction.
Individual patient factors (user experience, amputation level, limb loss cause, pain, fitting timeliness) are critical barriers.
Understanding these multifaceted barriers is vital for effective prosthetic interventions.

Conclusions

Tailored prosthetic design considering patient needs and preferences can improve adherence.
Addressing financial constraints through appropriate funding models is crucial for reducing abandonment.
Future research should focus on developing context-specific strategies to enhance upper limb prosthesis utilization in diverse settings.