Award Date

5-1-2023

Degree Type

Doctoral Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Committee Member

Szu-Ping Lee

Second Committee Member

Daniel Young

Third Committee Member

Merrill Landers

Number of Pages

51

Abstract

Introduction: Limb loss is a life-changing event that significantly impacts patients’ functioning as well as psychosocial well-being. Psychosocial support in the form of amputee peer-support is widely recognized as beneficial to individuals after lower limb loss (LLL). However, there is currently a lack of research on the utilization of peer-support after LLL and its perceived benefits to function. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine and quantify participants’ experiences with peer-support after LLL, and how peer-support experience is associated with mobility outcomes. We hypothesized that participants with LLL would express generally positive experiences with peer-support and that it would have a positive impact on their outlook on life and functioning during activities of daily living (ADL). We also hypothesized that individuals who have received peer-support would exhibit higher levels of mobility compared to those without such experiences. Methods: A 32-item survey was developed to examine respondents’ amputation history, experiences in peer-support activities, and their mobility (measured using Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility, PLUS-M). The items were developed and validated by 2 experienced amputee peer-support group organizers, prosthetic clinicians (physical therapists and prosthetists), and 5 persons with LLL. The online survey was distributed nationally to 169 peer-support groups and limb loss care facilities in 44 U.S. states, as well as social media-based support groups from March 2021 through February 2022. Individuals both with and without peer-support experience were included. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the patterns of peer-support utilization and participants’ perception. Independent t-tests were conducted to examine the effects of peer-support experience on mobility outcomes. Results: 82 completed responses were extracted for data analysis (53% female, 54% over 55 years of age, 65% with transtibial amputation). Sixty-eight % of the respondents received peer-support after amputation, among them 75% reported that peer-support had a positive impact on their outlook on life, and 78% reported that information gained during their peer-support experience was helpful to their ADL. Companionship afforded by peer-support was one of the most enjoyable experiences. Respondents who received peer-support exhibited a trend of higher mobility than those who did not (55 vs. 36 percentile on PLUS-M; p=0.055), despite their comparable ages (56.7 vs. 54.4 years; p=0.211). Conclusion: Individuals with LLL reported generally positive experiences regarding their engagement in peer-support activities. Peer-support groups are viewed as a helpful source for both information and emotional support, benefiting functional and psychological recovery after amputation. Furthermore, individuals who have received peer-support exhibited greater mobility. Future research should explore how peer-support may be incorporated to improve the effectiveness and patient experience of rehabilitation after LLL.

Controlled Subject

Amputation--Psychological aspects; Physical therapy

Disciplines

Physical Therapy

File Format

pdf

File Size

726 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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