Four weeks of inpatient comprehensive prosthetic rehabilitation achieves contrasting results in different groups of prosthetic users.

Abstract

Background: This study explored how inpatient exercise rehabilitation affected prosthetic mobility, function, and ambulation in persons with lower limb loss.

Methods: In this explorative prospective nonrandomized intervention study, experienced (EXP-INT, n = 20) and new prosthetic users (NEW-INT, n = 18) completed a 4-week rehabilitation intervention. A control group of experienced prosthetic users (n = 19) received no intervention. Tests were performed at baseline (pretest) and after 4 weeks (posttest). A step-monitoring device recorded ambulatory activity.

Results: For the primary outcome measure, Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility, the between-group analysis revealed significant differences (χ2 = 10.91, df = 2, p < 0.01). Within-group Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility T-scores improved by 8.1% for the EXP-INT (p < 0.01) and 15.1% for NEW-INT (p < 0.01). Significant between-group differences were observed for the Amputee Mobility Predictor, L-test, 2-minute walk test, and 10-meter walk test. Within-group analysis demonstrated nonsignificant changes for the EXP-INT except for Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility, while the NEW-INT improved by 24.1% (p < 0.001), 34.0% (p < 0.01), 46.5% (p < 0.05), and 31.0% (p < 0.01), respectively. The number of steps during the last 7 d of rehabilitation showed significant differences between the groups (χ2 = 13.99, df = 2, p < 0.001). The NEW-INT improved by 138% (p < 0.05) compared with the first 7 d of rehabilitation, while the EXP-INT had nonsignificant changes.

Conclusions: A 4-week rehabilitation intervention substantially increased prosthetic mobility, function, and ambulation activity for new prosthetic users but less so for experienced users. The results of the NEW-INT at discharge signify a considerable functional improvement.