A magnitude 8.0 earthquake in Sichuan, China, on May 12, 2008, resulted in thousands of causalities and left many with amputations. Few studies, however, have explored the rehabilitation outcomes and quality of life for those with bilateral lower-limb amputations following major natural disasters. To contribute to the topic, researchers conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate rehabilitation outcomes and identify factors associated with successful functional recovery after large-scale disasters. The study included 17 previously healthy young adults who sustained traumatic bilateral lower-limb amputations in the Sichuan earthquake and were treated under the Stand Tall rehabilitation program.
Subjects with bilateral through-knee or transtibial amputations had less activity restriction and higher mobility, the study concluded. Subjects using prostheses more than 50 percent of their waking time had better general adjustment and less functional restriction. Exercise and education were also associated with higher mobility and mental quality of life, respectively. Amputation level and knee joint salvage, prosthesis use, exercise, and education were associated with better rehabilitation outcomes including ambulation, adjustment and quality of life.
Data was evaluated about mobility (Amputee Mobility Predictor), prosthesis use (Houghton Scale), and health-related quality of life (Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scale, Short Form 12) through questionnaires and performance-based assessments. Means of scores were compared using T-tests.
The study was published online August 16 in Prosthetics and Orthotics International
