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

Abstract

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