Researchers at the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, conducted a study to determine environmental and personal factors that influence prosthetic rehabilitation and the ability to participate in daily activities among adults with lower-limb amputations in less-resourced countries. The influencing factors include continuity of care; the condition of the residual limb; consideration of outdoor environments of common occupations; prosthetic quality (comfort, durability, and socket fit); and minimizing the visibility of the disability.
In the study, researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 prosthetists and performed a qualitative thematic analysis guided by the International Classification of Function to determine factors that affect prosthetic rehabilitation and the ability to participate in daily activities. They say the study results can inform the design and provision of appropriate prosthetic devices for this population, as well as the practice of prosthetists in less-resourced environments.
The study, posted online April 2, can be found in the journal Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology.
