According to a Hanger study published in Prosthetics and Orthotics International, there was a significant correlation between mobility, quality of life and patient satisfaction among patients with lower limb loss.
“Functional mobility is compromised in individuals dealing with lower limb loss, and this study provides strong evidence that maximizing mobility should be considered a primary goal in providing holistic patient care,” James Campbell, PhD, CO, FAAOP, chief clinical officer of Hanger Clinic and one of the researchers, said in a press release.
The findings are part of Hanger Clinic’s Mobility Analysis of Amputees study. The study reportedly is the largest of its kind to date examining patients with lower limb loss. Researchers at Hanger Clinic’s clinical and scientific affairs department conducted a retrospective review of outcomes collected at multiple facilities. Data included the prosthetic limb users survey mobility and prostheses evaluation questionnaire.
Their analysis represented findings from 509 adult prosthesis users who had varying levels of limb loss, including unilateral and bilateral, lower limb amputation.
According to the researchers, the MAAT I study demonstrated a statistically significant correlation of greater mobility with greater quality of life and patient satisfaction. Specifically, mobility accounted for 26.1% of the variance associated with quality of life and of 22.6% of general satisfaction. The researchers ultimately concluded that prosthetic mobility should be addressed by the rehabilitation team.
“We are proud of the publication of these important research findings, as this is another example of Hanger Clinic leading the orthotics and prosthetics profession in evidence-based outcomes,” Vinit Asar, Hanger president and chief executive officer, said in the release. “As the largest provider of prosthetic care in the nation, we are in a position to collect and publish previously unknown insights that can aid in the protection and improvement of patients’ access to proper care.”
References:
Wurdeman SR, et al. J Prosthet Orthot Int. 2017;doi:10.1177/0309364617736089.
Disclosure: The authors report funding from the American Orthotics and Prosthetics Association.
