Indices of physical activity, quality of life and psychological characteristics in patients with amputated lower limb

Abstract

Aim. To study the physical activity in disabled patients who underwent an amputation of the lower limb in a late period of rehabilitation and prosthetics. Methods. The study included patients with structural and functional disorders of limbs. 308 patients aged 18 to 66 years were randomly selected to participate in the study as they were referred to Prosthetic and orthopedics center «Reabilitaciya invalidov», Kazan, Russia from 2008 to 2010. Patients were allocated to five age groups: 19 to 29 years, 30 to 39 years, 40 to 49 years, 50 to 59 years old and older than 60 years. Activity level, depending on the motor capacity was investigated in 308 patients who were offered prosthetics according to the classification subdividing locomotor activity on five levels. SF-36 questionnaire (quality of life), Spielberger-Hanin reactive and personal anxiety scales, Beck Depression Inventory, the Mehrabian Achieving Tendency Scale, Smisek-Leonhard characterological test were administered. Quality of lower limbs prostheses were assessed by «TWO LEGS» prosthesis evaluation questionnaire on a 5-point scale. Results. The majority of patients who were at the remote stage of rehabilitation after prosthesis had high level of physical activity - 141 (45.7%) patients, average activity level - 81 (26.2%) patients, reduced level of activity - 63 (20.5%) patients. High level of physical activity, depending on the locomotor activity, was more typical for the second (20-29) and third (30-39 years) age groups - 60 and 54%, respectively. Very high and high levels of physical activity was equally observed in patients with one and both amputated both lower legs: 8.4 and 7%, respectively. Conclusion. Level of amputation, age and psychological characteristics, as well as prosthesis quality and the term of prosthesis use were essential for motor activity, quality of life and functional independence of the disabled with structural and functional of the lower limb disorders.