Psychological and Behavioral Adjustment in Patients with Non-Traumatic Lower Limb Amputation and Prosthesis: A...

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Psychology
• Prosthetics & Artificial Limbs

Background:

• Lower limb amputation (LLA) significantly impacts physical, psychological, and social well-being.
• Rehabilitation often prioritizes physical recovery, overlooking psychological adaptation to limb loss.
• Understanding patients' subjective experiences is crucial for holistic care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate psychological and behavioral adaptation processes in patients undergoing rehabilitation post-lower limb amputation.
• To explore the lived experiences of amputees and prosthesis users.
• To assess factors influencing adaptation, including illness acceptance, body image, and social support.

Main Methods:

• Preliminary observational study using a mixed-method approach (quantitative and qualitative data triangulation).
• Inclusion of 14 inpatient amputees and 14 inpatient prosthesis users.
• Utilized validated psychometric tools (e.g., GAD-7, PHQ-9) and semi-structured interviews analyzed via Interpretive Description.

Main Results:

• Anxiety-depressive symptoms decreased with prosthesis use, improving adherence and acceptance.
• Body image was generally preserved, with some concerns about social judgment.
• Significant discrepancies noted between quantitative data (neutral) and qualitative interviews (multifaceted).

Conclusions:

• Integrating quantitative and qualitative methods provides a comprehensive understanding of adaptation post-amputation.
• Tailored psychological interventions are essential throughout the rehabilitation journey.
• Addressing psychological and subjective experiences alongside physical recovery is vital for improved patient outcomes.