An environmental scan of limb loss rehabilitation centers across Canada.

Background: The clinical landscape of limb loss rehabilitation across Canada is poorly delineated, lacks standard rehabilitation guidelines, and is without a shared clinical database.

Objective: To address these gaps, the objective of the present study was to undertake an environmental scan of the rehabilitation centers across Canada that provide inpatient and/or outpatient services to the limb loss community.

Study Design: An environmental scan was conducted to describe the rehabilitation service structure, program services, and outcome measures of sites across Canada.

Understanding the multidimensionality of a concern for falling in people with unilateral transtibial amputation: a cross-sectional study.

People with lower limb loss often experience psychological concerns related to falling. A concern for falling (CFF) includes four subdomains: fear of falling, self-efficacy, consequences of falling, and perceptions of falls. Limited research exists on how these subdomains are influenced by clinical factors and falls history.

Patterns of inpatient acute care and emergency department utilization within one year post-initial amputation among individuals with dysvascular major lower extremity amputation in Ontario, Canada: A population-based retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Lower extremity amputation (LEA) is a life altering procedure, with significant negative impacts to patients, care partners, and the overall health system. There are gaps in knowledge with respect to patterns of healthcare utilization following LEA due to dysvascular etiology.

Objective: To examine inpatient acute and emergency department (ED) healthcare utilization among an incident cohort of individuals with major dysvascular LEA 1 year post-initial amputation; and to identify factors associated with acute care readmissions and ED visits.

How has body image been evaluated among people with lower limb loss? A scoping review.

Purpose: Lower limb loss can result in an altered body image, leading to changes in self-esteem, mental health and quality of life. This scoping review explored how body image has been evaluated among people with lower limb loss.

Materials And Methods: Five databases (Embase, Medline, PsychINFO, CINHAL, and Nursing and Allied Health Database) were searched from inception until March 19, 2023.

The effect of exercise interventions on gait outcomes in subacute and chronic rehabilitation from lower-limb amputation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Successful walking is a substantial contributor to quality of life in people with lower-limb amputation (PLLA), yet gait difficulties are common. Evidence-based exercise guidelines are necessary for PLLA with different clinical characteristics and at different phases of recovery. To systematically review the literature evaluating effects of exercise interventions on gait outcomes in PLLA at subacute and chronic stages of recovery.

An eight-year analysis of participant characteristics at admission to inpatient prosthetic rehabilitation following a lower limb amputation: a Canadian perspective.

Purpose: To describe admission and discharge characteristics of participants admitted to prosthetic rehabilitation following a lower limb amputation and determine changes in participant characteristics including if the population has gotten older over time at admission.

Methods: A retrospective chart audit of consecutive admissions to an amputee rehabilitation program. Study criteria were transtibial level LLA and above and ≥ 18 years old.

Cortical activation during imagined walking for people with lower limb loss: a pilot study.

Each year in Canada, a substantial number of adults undergo limb amputation, with lower limb amputation (LLA) the most prevalent. Enhancing walking ability is crucial for optimizing rehabilitation outcomes, promoting participation, and facilitating community reintegration. Overcoming challenges during the acute post-amputation phase and sub-acute rehabilitation necessitates alternative approaches, such as motor imagery and mental practice, to maximize rehabilitation success.

The Effect of Advanced Age on Prosthetic Rehabilitation Functional Outcomes in People With Lower Limb Amputations: A Retrospective Chart Audit of Inpatient Admissions.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of age on functional outcomes at discharge from prosthetic rehabilitation.

Design: Retrospective chart audit.

Setting: Rehabilitation hospital.

Health utility in community-dwelling adults with dysvascular lower limb loss.

Purpose: Adults with dysvascular lower extremity amputation (LEA) experience a large number of secondary health conditions yet there is a gap in the literature on health utility scores for this population. A health utility score relates to a person's state of well-being, and is a single metric anchored at 0 (death) and 1 (perfect health). This study aimed to provide a descriptive account of health utility scores in community-dwelling adults with dysvascular LEA.

Association between balance confidence and basic walking abilities in people with unilateral transtibial lower-limb amputations: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Falls are common for people with lower-limb amputations (PLLA). Low balance confidence is also prevalent, is worse in PLLA not reporting walking automaticity, and is known to negatively affect prosthesis use, social engagement, and quality of life. Moreover, walking with a prosthesis requires continuous attention.

Association between measures of cognitive function on physical function in novice users of a lower limb prosthesis.

Background: Cognitive impairment is prevalent in people with lower limb amputations (PLLA) and is associated with adverse outcomes, such as falls and worse rehabilitation outcomes. Physical function tests are essential to examine abilities; however, no research in PLLA has clarified the magnitude of cognitive demands amongst available tests in users novice at walking with a prosthesis.

Research Question: Is there an association between cognitive and physical function for PLLA novice at walking with a prosthesis?

Methods: People from inpatient prosthetic rehabilitation were recruited.

A concern for falling impacts quality of life for people with a lower limb amputation.

The purpose of this web-based survey study was to comprehensively evaluate subdomains of concern for falling and its association with quality of life (QoL) among people with lower-limb amputations (PLLA). Forty-eight adults (mean 61.8 ± 11.

Examination of social disconnectedness and perceived social isolation on health and life satisfaction in community-dwelling adults with dysvascular lower limb loss.

Background: People with physical disabilities are at risk for social isolation, which has been shown to negatively influence health and well-being.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the association of social disconnectedness and perceived social isolation (PSI) on health-related quality of life (HrQoL) and life satisfaction in adults with dysvascular lower extremity amputation (LEA).

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey.

The reliability of four standardized concern for falling scales among adults with a major lower extremity amputation.

Introduction: More than 52.4% of people with a lower extremity amputation (PLEA) will fall at least once each year. Previously established standardized scales that evaluate a concern for falling (CFF) were developed primarily among community-dwelling older adults.

Group-based telerehabilitation intervention using Wii Fit to improve walking in older adults with lower limb amputation (WiiNWalk): A randomized control trial.

Objective: Determine efficacy of the novel WiiNWalk intervention on walking-related outcomes in older adults with lower limb amputation.

Design: Multi-site, parallel, evaluator-masked randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Home-setting in three Canadian cities.

The effect of dual-task testing on the balance and gait of people with lower limb amputations: A systematic review.

Objective: To systematically review the literature on the effect of dual-task testing on the balance and gait of people with lower limb amputations (PLLA).

Literature Survey: Databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched in duplicate (inception to December 1, 2020).

Methodology: Inclusion criteria: participants were adults with transtibial, knee-disarticulation, transfemoral, or bilateral lower limb amputations; balance or gait was paired with a secondary task; and studies were peer-reviewed and published in English.

A qualitative study exploring individuals' experiences living with dysvascular lower limb amputation.

Purpose: The majority of lower extremity amputations (LEAs) are the result of diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. There is a paucity of literature on individuals' experiences living with dysvascular LEAs in the community, particularly in Canada. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of community-dwelling adults living with dysvascular LEA.

Association Between Changes in Subjective and Objective Measures of Mobility in People With Lower Limb Amputations After Inpatient Rehabilitation.

Functional recovery for people with lower limb amputations is quantified using objective or subjective measures of performance. In this brief report, the prospective relationship between objective and subjective mobility after rehabilitation was evaluated in people with lower limb amputations. Adults undergoing inpatient prosthetic rehabilitation for a first unilateral transtibial or transfemoral level lower limb amputation were recruited.

Identifying priorities and developing strategies for building capacity in amputation research in Canada.

Background: Compared to other patient population groups, the field of amputation research in Canada lacks cohesion largely due to limited funding sources, lack of connection among research scientists, and loose ties among geographically dispersed healthcare centres, research institutes and advocacy groups. As a result, advances in clinical care are hampered and ultimately negatively influence outcomes of persons living with limb loss.

Objective: To stimulate a national strategy on advancing amputation research in Canada, a consensus-workshop was organized with an expert panel of stakeholders to identify key research priorities and potential strategies to build researcher and funding capacity in the field.

Reliability, validity, and agreement of the short-form Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale in people with lower extremity amputations.

Background: Clinicians use the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale to understand balance confidence. A short-form Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale, was developed using the six most difficult tasks from the original Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale; however, short-form the short-form scale psychometrics and agreement with the original scale have yet to be explored in people with lower extremity amputations.

Objective: To determine the relative and absolute reliability, construct validity, and agreement of the short-form Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale.

Cognition Predicts Mobility Change in Lower Extremity Amputees Between Discharge From Rehabilitation and 4-Month Follow-up: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: To assess (1) the effect of task (single and dual task), time (discharge and 4mo), and their interaction for mobility; (2) task prioritization during dual-task testing; and (3) the association between cognition on change in mobility between discharge from rehabilitation and 4 months' follow-up.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Rehabilitation hospital.

Evaluating knowledge of falls risk factors and falls prevention strategies among lower extremity amputees after inpatient prosthetic rehabilitation: a prospective study.

Falls are prevalent among people with lower extremity amputations. A knowledge of risk factors is important in preventing falls, though no research has evaluated patient understanding of falls in this population. The study objective was to evaluate knowledge of falls risk factors and falls prevention strategies at discharge and 4-months after inpatient prosthetic rehabilitation.

Determining Reliability of a Dual-Task Functional Mobility Protocol for Individuals With Lower Extremity Amputation.

Objective: To determine the relative and absolute reliability of a dual-task functional mobility assessment.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Academic rehabilitation hospital.

MoCA Domain Score Analysis and Relation to Mobility Outcomes in Dysvascular Lower Extremity Amputees.

Objective: To investigate the association between cognitive functioning, as measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and functional outcomes upon discharge from prosthetic rehabilitation.

Design: Retrospective chart audit.

Setting: Rehabilitation hospital.