Health utility in community-dwelling adults with dysvascular lower limb loss.

PURPOSE: Adults with dysvascular lower extremity amputation (LEA) experience a large number of secondary health conditions yet there is a gap in the literature on health utility scores for this population. A health utility score relates to a person's state of well-being, and is a single metric anchored at 0 (death) and 1 (perfect health). This study aimed to provide a descriptive account of health utility scores in community-dwelling adults with dysvascular LEA. METHODS: Participants were adults with dysvascular LEA who were 3 months post-amputation. Data collected included socio-demographic characteristics, the Special Interest Group in Amputee Medicine (SIGAM) grades, the dysvascular conditions scale (DCS), which is a scale developed for this study, and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). SF-6D health utility scores were derived from the SF-36 using a software algorithm. Participants were grouped into low-impact and high-impact groups based on self-reported severity of symptoms using the DCS. Health utility scores were compared between the low-impact and high-impact groups using independent t-tests. RESULTS: A total of 231 participants were enrolled in the study. The mean SF-6D health utility score was 0.689 (0.127). A significant association was found between health utility score and SIGAM grade (p < 0.001, η2 = .09). Health utility was positively associated with age (r = 0.137, p = 0.037) and months post-amputation (r = 0.141, p = 0.032), and negatively associated with DCS severity (r = -0.526, p < 0.001). Health utility scores were lower for participants in the DCS high-impact groups for conditions such as diabetes mellitus, phantom limb pain, musculoskeletal pain, back pain, psychological distress, depression, vision problems, and other pain. CONCLUSION: Cost-utility analyses rely on health utility estimates and our findings provide data for future economic evaluations that may assist policy makers in evidence informed allocation of healthcare resources for this population.

Experiences and Outcomes of Using e-Prescribing for Opioids: Rapid Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: e-Prescribing is designed to assist in facilitating safe and appropriate prescriptions for patients. Currently, it is unknown to what extent e-prescribing for opioids influences experiences and outcomes. To address this gap, a rapid scoping review was conducted. OBJECTIVE: This rapid scoping review aims to (1) explore how e-prescribing has been used clinically; (2) examine the effects of e-prescribing on clinical outcomes, the patient or clinician experience, service delivery, and policy; and (3) identify current gaps in the present literature to inform future studies and recommendations. METHODS: A rapid scoping review was conducted following the guidance of the JBI 2020 scoping review methodology and the World Health Organization guide to rapid reviews. A comprehensive literature search was completed by an expert librarian from inception until November 16, 2022. Three databases were electronically searched: MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), and Scopus (Elsevier). The search criteria were as follows: (1) e-prescribing programs targeted to the use or misuse of opioids, including those that were complemented or accompanied by clinically focused initiatives, and (2) a primary research study of experimental, quasi-experimental, observational, qualitative, or mixed methods design. An additional criterion of an ambulatory component of e-prescribing (eg, e-prescribing occurred upon discharge from acute care) was added at the full-text stage. No language limitations or filters were applied. All articles were double screened by trained reviewers. Gray literature was manually searched by a single reviewer. Data were synthesized using a descriptive approach. RESULTS: Upon completing screening, 34 articles met the inclusion criteria: 32 (94%) peer-reviewed studies and 2 (6%) gray literature documents (1 thesis study and 1 report). All 33 studies had a quantitative component, with most highlighting e-prescribing from acute care settings to community settings (n=12, 36%). Only 1 (3%) of the 34 articles provided evidence on e-prescribing in a primary care setting. Minimal prescriber, pharmacist, and clinical population characteristics were reported. The main outcomes identified were related to opioid prescribing rates, alerts (eg, adverse drug events and drug-drug interactions), the quantity and duration of opioid prescriptions, the adoption of e-prescribing technology, attitudes toward e-prescribing, and potential challenges with the implementation of e-prescribing into clinical practice. e-Prescribing, including key features such as alerts and dose order sets, may reduce prescribing errors. CONCLUSIONS: This rapid scoping review highlights initial promising results with e-prescribing and opioid therapy management. It is important that future work explores the experience of prescribers, pharmacists, and patients using e-prescribing for opioid therapy management with an emphasis on prescribers in the community and primary care. Developing a common set of quality indicators for e-prescribing of opioids will help build a stronger evidence base. Understanding implementation considerations will be of importance as the technology is integrated into clinical practice and health systems.

Examination of the Relationships Among Social Networks and Loneliness on Health and Life Satisfaction in People with Spinal Cord Injury/Dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations among social networks and loneliness on health and life satisfaction in adults with chronic spinal cord injury/dysfunction (SCI/D). DESIGN: Cross-sectional telephone survey study. SETTING: Tertiary spinal cord injury rehabilitation center in Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling adults with chronic SCI/D (N=170). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were the Short-Form 36 to assess health and the Life Satisfaction-11 to assess life satisfaction. RESULTS: A hierarchical regression model predicting physical health accounted for 24% (P<.001) of the variance. The only social network variable to significantly contribute to the model was having a higher proportion of network members living in one's household (P<.05). A model predicting mental health accounted for 44% (P<.001) of the variance, with having a higher proportion of network members living in one's household (P<.05) and lower feelings of loneliness (P<.001) associated with better mental health. Finally, the model predicting life satisfaction accounted for 62% (P<.001) of the variance, with lower greater levels of social network intimacy (P<.01) and lower feelings of loneliness (P<.001) being significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of having access to network members in one's home for better physical and mental health after SCI/D as well as the negative association between loneliness and mental health and life satisfaction. There is a need for approaches to ensure that people with SCI/D in the community feel supported to mitigate feelings of loneliness to optimize their health and wellbeing.

"The strategies are the same, the problems may be different": a qualitative study exploring the experiences of healthcare and service providers with medication therapy management for individuals with spinal cord injury/dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Persons with spinal cord injury/dysfunction (SCI/D) often take multiple medications to treat their secondary complications and chronic conditions (multimorbidity). Multiple healthcare and service providers are often involved in care, which can result in increased risk of fragmentation of care. Optimal medication therapy management (MTM) is essential to ensure therapeutic benefit from medication regimens. However, little is known about the experiences of providers in supporting persons with SCI/D with MTM. METHODS: Telephone interviews were conducted to explore healthcare and service providers' experiences with MTM for persons with SCI/D. Participants were recruited through clinical organizations and researchers' personal contacts. Participants were purposefully selected for diversity in profession and were required to be English speaking and to have provided care to at least one person with SCI/D. The qualitative interviews followed a semi-structured interview guide. Data display matrices were used in a constant comparative process for descriptive and interpretive analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-two interviews were conducted from April to December 2018. Each profession had distinct views on their roles in facilitating MTM for persons with SCI/D, which aligned with their respective scopes of practice. Shared provider tasks included tailoring medications, providing education, and exploring medication alternatives. Most participants felt that the care they provided for persons with SCI/D was similar to the care that they provided to other patients, with some differences relating to the physical limitations and medical complexity associated with SCI/D. Five factors were identified that impacted participants' abilities to provide MTM for persons with SCI/D: patient self-management skills, provider knowledge and confidence, provider-patient relationships, interprofessional collaboration, and provider funding models including the use of technology-supported consultations. CONCLUSION: While participants described commonalities in the barriers and enablers associated with providing MTM to persons with SCI/D and other populations, there were unique considerations identified. These SCI/D-specific considerations resulted in recommendations for improvements in MTM for this population. Future research should include perspectives from persons with SCI/D.

Social disconnectedness and perceived social isolation in persons with spinal cord injury/dysfunction living in the community: A scoping review.

Context: Persons with spinal cord injury/dysfunction (SCI/D) are particularly at risk for social disconnectedness and/or perceived social isolation, which are key components to overall well-being. However, there is limited evidence that aims to understand these phenomena in this population.Objective: To investigate what is known about social disconnectedness and perceived social isolation for adults with SCI/D living in the community.Methods: A scoping review was conducted. A computer assisted search of four online databases was completed on all articles published until May 18th, 2021. Gray literature and key agencies were also searched for relevant documents. Two key concepts (spinal cord injury/dysfunction and social disconnectedness/perceived social isolation) and associated terms were used. All articles were double screened for inclusion by two reviewers.Results: Following deduplication, title and abstract screening and full-text screening, 37 articles met the criteria for inclusion in this review. Most of the included articles were published in North America, used quantitative methods and a cross-sectional design. Articles identified several factors that influenced social disconnectedness and perceived social isolation including participant characteristics, social support, psychological well-being, participation in activities, the built environment and physical health.Conclusion: The current literature suggests that issues with social disconnectedness and perceived social isolation exist for persons living with SCI/D in the community. More work is needed to better understand the relationship between these constructs. A more nuanced understanding can inform targeted interventions to help mitigate the impact of these phenomena on the SCI/D population.

The influence of food packaging on independent eating in individuals with hand impairments.

PURPOSE: Hand function plays a major role in the successful performance of activities of daily living (ADLs), such as eating. There is a lack of data exploring how persons with hand impairment manage food packaging and its impact on eating. METHODS: A convenience sample of 12 inpatients with hand impairments undergoing rehabilitation participated in a qualitative interview where they were asked questions about their experiences with food packaging and independent eating, and asked to open a set of commonly available hospital food packages, first without any tools/aids, and then with tools/aids if they desired to use them. Audio data were transcribed and cross-referenced with video data. Data were analyzed using codebook thematic analysis. RESULTS: An overarching theme of "Messiness" along with four major themes were identified: a) Inaccessibility of food packaging; b) Lack of control; c) Eating avoidance; and d) Preferred packaging and strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Inpatients with a hand impairment often experience several challenges with independent eating while in hospital as a result of their difficulties with hard to open food packaging. A greater consideration of universal design principles may be relevant for designers to make packaging more accessible.

Inaccessible food packaging may lead to psychological distress in patients with hand impairments, which can involve avoidance of eating.Food packaging that is large, lightweight and that has clear tabs or markers for pulling or tearing are better suited for patients with functional hand impairments.The use of a non-slip mat and/or tool with a sharp end might be useful aids to help patients be more independent with opening food packages while in hospital.

Quality of life following non-dysvascular lower limb amputation is contextualized through occupations: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: To understand how persons with non-dysvascular lower limb amputation (LLA) use occupations to contextualize their quality of life (QoL). METHODS: A qualitative study using an interpretative description approach was conducted. Analysis of the interviews was guided by an occupational perspective, which considers the day-to-day activities that are important to an individual. RESULTS: Twenty adults with an adult-acquired non-dysvascular amputation (e.g., trauma, cancer or infection) were interviewed. Following thematic analysis, two main themes were developed: (1) sense of self expressed through occupations; and (2) sense of belonging with others influenced by occupations. Participants expressed the way they felt about themselves through their activities and placed high value on whether they could participate in certain occupations. Participants also described how their sense of belonging was changed through the context of their changing occupations. CONCLUSION: The findings from this work can be leveraged by clinicians and researchers alike to improve care for this population. Rehabilitation programs should consider interventions and programming that help to restore occupations or develop new ones given the importance placed on occupations by persons with non-dysvascular LLA.

Quality of life is affected following non-dysvascular lower limb amputation due to physical, mental and psychosocial changes.Occupations (or day-to-day activities) are important components of quality of life for persons with lower limb amputation.Rehabilitation professionals should take into account the influence that occupations have on how persons with lower limb amputation perceive themselves when developing interventions and programming for this population.The influence occupations have on sense of belonging should also be considered by rehabilitation professionals when developing these interventions and programs for persons with non-dysvascular lower limb amputation.

Medication self-management toolkits for adults with multiple sclerosis: A scoping review.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that is often treated with multiple medications. Managing multiple medications, also known as polypharmacy, can be challenging for persons with MS. Toolkits are instructional resources designed to promote behaviour change. Toolkits may support medication self-management for adults with MS, as they have been useful in other populations with chronic conditions. Objective: The main purpose of this review was to identify and summarize medication self-management toolkits for MS, as related to the design, delivery, components, and measures used to evaluate implementation and/or outcomes. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following guidelines by JBI. Articles were included if they focused on adults (18 years or older) with MS. Results: Six articles reporting on four unique toolkits were included. Most toolkits were technology-based, including mobile or online applications, with only one toolkit being paper-based. The toolkits varied in type, frequency, and duration of medication management support. Varying outcomes were also identified, but there were improvements reported in symptom management, medication adherence, decision-making, and quality of life. The six studies were quantitative in design, with no studies exploring the user experience from a qualitative or mixed-methods design. Conclusions: There is limited research on medication self-management toolkits among adults with MS. Future development, implementation, and evaluation mixed-methods research are needed to explore user experiences and overall design of toolkits.

Medication self-management interventions for persons with stroke: A scoping review.

The use of multiple medications is common following a stroke for secondary prevention and management of co-occurring chronic conditions. Given the use of multiple medications post-stroke, optimizing medication self-management for this population is important. The objective of this scoping review was to identify and summarize what has been reported in the literature on interventions related to medication self-management for adults (aged 18+) with stroke. Electronic databases (Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, EBSCO CINAHL, Ovid PsycINFO, Web of Science) and grey literature were searched to identify relevant articles. For inclusion, articles were required to include an adult population with stroke undergoing an intervention aimed at modifying or improving medication management that incorporated a component of self-management. Two independent reviewers screened the articles for inclusion. Data were extracted and summarized using descriptive content analysis. Of the 56 articles that met the inclusion criteria, the focus of most interventions was on improvement of secondary stroke prevention through risk factor management and lifestyle modifications. The majority of studies included medication self-management as a component of a broader intervention. Most interventions used both face-to-face interactions and technology for delivery. Behavioural outcomes, specifically medication adherence, were the most commonly targeted outcomes across the interventions. However, the majority of interventions did not specifically or holistically target medication self-management. There is an opportunity to better support medication self-management post-stroke by ensuring interventions are delivered across sectors or in the community, developing an understanding of the optimal frequency and duration of delivery, and qualitatively exploring experiences with the interventions to ensure ongoing improvement.

A scoping review of medication self-management intervention tools to support persons with traumatic spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND: Persons with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) use multiple medications (polypharmacy) to manage the high number of secondary complications and concurrent conditions. Despite the prevalence of polypharmacy and challenges associated with managing medications, there are few tools to support medication self-management for persons with SCI. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and summarize what is reported in the literature on medication self-management interventions for adults with traumatic SCI. METHODS: Electronic databases and grey literature were searched for articles that included an adult population with a traumatic SCI and an intervention targeting medication management. The intervention was required to incorporate a component of self-management. Articles were double screened and data were extracted and synthesized using descriptive approaches. RESULTS: Three studies were included in this review, all of which were quantitative. A mobile app and two education-based interventions to address self-management of SCI, medication management, and pain management, respectively, were included. Only one of the interventions was co-developed with patients, caregivers, and clinicians. There was minimal overlap in the outcomes measured across the studies, but learning outcomes (e.g., perceived knowledge and confidence), behavioural outcomes (e.g., management strategies, data entry), and clinical outcomes (e.g., number of medications, pain scores, functional outcomes) were evaluated. Results of the interventions varied, but some positive outcomes were noted. CONCLUSIONS: There is an opportunity to better support medication self-management for persons with SCI by co-designing an intervention with end-users that comprehensively addresses self-management. This will aid in understanding why interventions work, for whom, in what setting, and under what circumstances.

Providing rehabilitation to patients recovering from COVID-19: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the nature and extent of research on rehabilitation care provision to patients with COVID-19. Specifically, we aimed to (1) describe the impact of COVID on patients and associated rehabilitation needs, (2) outline the adaptations and preparations required to enable the provision of COVID rehabilitation, (3) describe the types of rehabilitation services and treatments provided to COVID patients, and (4) identify barriers and facilitators to delivering COVID rehabilitation. LITERATURE SURVEY: We searched Medline, PsychINFO, Embase, and CINAHL on June 26, 2020 using key words such as "rehabilitation," "physical medicine," "allied health professionals," and variations of "COVID." The search was updated on October 13, 2020. We included articles published in English and that focused on some aspect of COVID rehabilitation for adults. We excluded articles focused on pediatric populations and those not focused (or minimally focused) on rehabilitation for COVID patients. METHODOLOGY: Data were charted based on article type (ie, primary data, secondary data, guidelines). Key information extracted included (1) COVID sequelae; (2) rehabilitation adaptations; (3) structure, function, and content of rehabilitation services/programs; (4) facilitators and/or barriers to providing COVID rehabilitation; and (5) recommendations for COVID rehabilitation programming. Data were synthesized narratively. SYNTHESIS: In total, 128 articles were included in the review that reported primary data (n = 33), secondary data (n = 82), and clinical practice/patient self-management guidelines (n = 13). Evidence begins to suggest that rehabilitation is necessary and valuable for addressing COVID-related declines in health, function, and well-being. Most articles recommended that an individualized rehabilitation program be provided across the continuum of care by an interdisciplinary team of professionals and that the nature and extent of rehabilitation be informed by the care setting and COVID severity. Most issues that challenged COVID rehabilitation delivery were directly addressed by the facilitators and adaptations identified. CONCLUSIONS: Future recommendations include a greater emphasis on the psychosocial aspects of COVID rehabilitation, inclusion of families in rehabilitation planning, and the use of qualitative approaches to complement clinical data.

An exploration of perceived social isolation among persons with spinal cord injury in Ontario, Canada: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: To advance the understanding of perceived social isolation among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI), the objectives of the present study were to explore: (1) experiences of perceived social isolation and (2) factors that contribute to perceived social isolation. METHODS: Interpretive description qualitative methodology was used to conduct semi-structured interviews with 30 individuals with SCI from across Ontario (Canada) from November 2016 to August 2017. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participants identified disruption to social networks that seemed to impact perceived social isolation. Five major themes were identified: (1) impact on structure and frequency of social network; (2) importance of feeling heard; (3) importance of employment, hobbies, and sports; (4) need to improve physical accessibility and built environment; and (5) individual characteristics. Changes in quality of social networks, rather than size, contributed to greater feelings of perceived social isolation. The built environment, maintenance of employment, hobbies, and sports, social media, and technology use, as well as individual traits, were also found to impact perceived social isolation. CONCLUSION: Future research should focus on the development of programs to help maintain or improve social network quality for persons with SCI to minimize the impact of perceived social isolation.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONPerceived social isolation, resulting from physical and environmental barriers, is a challenge that is faced by many individuals who are living in the community with a spinal cord injury (SCI).Rehabilitation and community programs should utilize an individualized approach to find solutions to challenges faced by this population to prevent the effects of perceived social isolation.Education on how to adapt to changes in social network, together with the provision of access to peer-to-peer support groups, and SCI specific return to work or leisure programs, is recommended as an essential component of rehabilitation.

Self-reported health condition severity and ambulation status postmajor dysvascular limb loss.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with dysvascular lower limb amputations (LLA) secondary to complications of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and/or diabetes have high rates of co-morbidities. OBJECTIVES: To describe self-reported health condition severity and their association with sociodemographic factors and ambulations status among individuals with major dysvascular LLA. STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional telephone and in person survey with adults with major dysvascular LLA living in the community setting in Ontario, Canada. METHODS: Survey by phone/in person, and completion of the Dysvascular Conditions Scale and Special Interest in Amputee Medicine Mobility (SIGAM) Grade by each participant. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-one individuals with major dysvascular LLAs participated in the study. Most of them were male individuals (80.5%) and had undergone a transtibial amputation (74%). On average, participants were 3.4 years postlimb loss and had five identified Dysvascular Conditions Scale health conditions. The top five reported health conditions were diabetes, hypertension, phantom limb pain, musculoskeletal pain, and back pain. With the exclusion of hypertension, these conditions were also perceived by respondents to be quite severe for their impact. Vision impairment was also rated as being severe in nature. Lower mobility Special Interest Group in Amputee Medicine grades were associated with higher health condition severity scores. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with dysvascular limb loss experience high multimorbidity with perceived negative impact on their overall wellness and function. Rehabilitation and self-management strategies to help patients with dysvascular LLAs to manage chronic health conditions may improve outcomes.

A qualitative study on stakeholder perceptions of digital prosthetic socket fabrication for transtibial amputations.

BACKGROUND: Digital residual limb shape capture (three-dimensional [3D] scanning), computer-assisted design (CAD), and computer-assisted manufacturing with 3D printing technology show promise for a completely digital process of fabricating prosthetic sockets for patients with limb loss. The effectiveness and quality of digitally designed 3D-printed lower extremity prosthetic sockets is understudied, and there is lack of data on the patient and prosthetist experiences with this digital workflow. OBJECTIVE: To obtain stakeholder feedback on the feasibility and acceptability of using a completely digital prosthetic fabrication process consisting of 3D scanning, CAD, and 3D printing in a rehabilitation setting for adults with transtibial limb amputations. STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative design. METHODS: Study participants with a transtibial-level amputation were fit with a prosthetic socket fabricated using digital shape capture with a 3D scanner, CAD, and 3D printing in addition to a traditionally handcasted manually fabricated socket. Participants tried on and evaluated both sockets. Semistructured interviews took place after the fitting appointments. A focus group was conducted with prosthetists to obtain their feedback. Audio data were transcribed verbatim, and an inductive content analysis was undertaken. RESULTS: Eleven patient participants and 3 prosthetists identified 4 main themes: 1) openness and enthusiasm for digital prosthetic fabrication; 2) relative advantages of digital fabrication vs. traditional socket fabrication; 3) readiness of the technology used for adoption in practice; and 4) digital prosthetic workflow and 3D printing implementation considerations. CONCLUSIONS: Patients and prosthetists were enthusiastic about digital prosthetic socket fabrication and saw potential advantages over traditional methods. Both patients and prosthetists had concerns about the durability, safety, and aesthetics of the 3D printed sockets in this study. Further studies are needed to optimize digital prosthetic fabrication with 3D printing in prosthetic practice.

An exploration of attitudes and preferences towards medications among healthcare providers and persons with spinal cord injury/dysfunction: a qualitative comparison.

PURPOSE: To compare the attitudes and preferences of persons with spinal cord injury/dysfunction (SCI/D) and healthcare providers regarding prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and natural health products (NHPs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers (n = 32) and persons with SCI/D (n = 19) in Canada. Inductive descriptive and interpretive analyses were conducted using data display matrices and a constant comparative approach. RESULTS: Participants described differing perceptions of therapeutic benefits based on medication type, with shared attitudes about the therapeutic benefits of prescription medications and differing views about the effectiveness of NHPs. Despite the perceived effectiveness of prescription medications, persons with SCI/D preferred to avoid them due to concerns about side effects, safety, and stigma. Persons with SCI/D were often concerned about the long-term safety of prescription medications, whereas providers focused more on medication-related addictions. Participants discussed stigma relating to prescription medications, NHPs, and medicinal marijuana. CONCLUSION: Healthcare providers and persons with SCI/D described different attitudes about and preferences for pharmacotherapeutic products, contributing to challenges in optimizing medication management. Strategies to improve medication management include shared decision-making to incorporate patient preferences into care plans and explicit discussions about long-term medication safety. Further, steps are needed to combat the stigma associated with medication use.Implications for rehabilitationFollowing a person-centered approach to shared decision-making, prescribers should initiate explicit conversations about patient medication preferences, short and long-term prescription medication side effects, and alternative treatment options.Regarding prescription medication safety, persons with spinal cord injury/dysfunction focused on the long term impact of medications, while providers focused on medication-related addictions, highlighting a disconnect that should be discussed during initiation, continuation, or discontinuation of a medication.Providers should be mindful of the stigma associated with taking multiple prescription medications, including medicinal marijuana, as well as the stigma associated with over-the-counter medications and natural health products.Providers could benefit from education about spinal cord injury/dysfunction-specific prescription medications and could benefit from increased education about natural health products.

Sex and gender differences in quality of life and related domains for individuals with adult acquired lower-limb amputation: a scoping review.

PURPOSE: To understand what is known about sex and gender differences in quality of life (QoL) and related domains for individuals with an adult acquired lower limb amputation (LLA). METHODS: A computer-assisted literature search of four online databases was completed. Articles were included if they incorporated sex or gender as part of their data analysis with a focus on QoL-related domains. Data were analyzed using descriptive numerical analysis and thematic analysis. RESULTS: One hundred and eleven articles were included in this review. Women were under-represented across studies, with most of the participants being men. No articles described the inclusion of trans or non-binary persons. Differences by sex or gender were reported by 66 articles. Articles reporting on gender seldom provided descriptions of how gender was defined. Overall, women/females seemed to have worse outcomes in terms of prosthesis-related outcomes, mental health, and return to occupations. CONCLUSION: Articles included in this review were not clear with how gender was defined. In order for more targeted interventions that account for sex and gender differences, studies need to be more forthcoming about how they use and define gender. Future research should seek to include gender non-conforming participants to identify additional needs.Implications for rehabilitationSex and gender are important constructs that influence outcomes following lower limb amputation.Rehabilitation professionals should consider sex and gender-specific outcomes when tailoring programs to ensure ethical clinical care.

Examination of social disconnectedness and perceived social isolation on health and life satisfaction in community-dwelling adults with dysvascular lower limb loss.

BACKGROUND: People with physical disabilities are at risk for social isolation, which has been shown to negatively influence health and well-being. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the association of social disconnectedness and perceived social isolation (PSI) on health-related quality of life (HrQoL) and life satisfaction in adults with dysvascular lower extremity amputation (LEA). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Data were collected from community-dwelling adults with dysvascular major LEA (N = 231). The main outcome measures were the Short-Form 36 and the Life Satisfaction-11. Other measures were used to quantify comorbidities/secondary health conditions, PSI, social disconnectedness, self-efficacy, social support, and social engagement. Three hierarchical regression models were conducted to predict (1) physical HrQoL, (2) mental HrQoL, and (3) life satisfaction. RESULTS: Approximately one-third of the sample had high levels of social disconnectedness and PSI. The regression model predicting physical HrQoL accounted for 47% of the variance and only found that higher levels of mobility, lower perceived impact of comorbidities/conditions, and higher levels of social engagement and self-efficacy were associated with better physical HrQoL. A model predicting mental HrQoL accounted for 36% of the variance, with older age, lower PSI, and higher levels of self-efficacy being significant predictors. Finally, the model predicting life satisfaction accounted for 56% of the variance, with older age, lower perceived impact of comorbidities/conditions, and higher self-efficacy remaining as significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight that one-third of our sample were at risk for being socially isolated and that PSI was influential on mental HrQoL and life satisfaction. There is a need for approaches to address social isolation for people with dysvascular LEA living in the community to optimize their long-term health and well-being.

A qualitative study exploring individuals' experiences living with dysvascular lower limb amputation.

PURPOSE: The majority of lower extremity amputations (LEAs) are the result of diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. There is a paucity of literature on individuals' experiences living with dysvascular LEAs in the community, particularly in Canada. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of community-dwelling adults living with dysvascular LEA. METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with individuals with a dysvascular LEA recruited from three rehabilitation hospitals. Participants were included if they were English-speaking adults at least three months post-amputation and no longer receiving inpatient rehabilitation. Sampling was purposive to ensure variation by gender, level of amputation, and geographic location. Data were analyzed using an inductive content-analysis approach. RESULTS: Thirty-five interviews were completed with individuals with dysvascular LEA. Study participants portrayed LEA as having an impact on many aspects of their lives, resulting in changes in their mobility, social activities and roles, and psychological wellbeing. Three main factors shaped individuals' experiences with dysvascular LEA including social support, accessibility, and socioeconomic factors. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the impacts of dysvascular LEA in peoples' lives. Future research is warranted to explore how community-based interventions and strategies can address the ongoing needs of individuals with dysvascular LEA.Implications for rehabilitationOur findings highlight the long-term impacts of dysvascular lower extremity amputations, which resulted in changes in mobility, social activities and roles, and psychological wellbeing.Participants identified issues in access to community services and resources, including rehabilitation.Mechanisms to identify people at risk for social isolation need to be developed and implemented in rehabilitation centers.Access to ongoing rehabilitation services in the community are needed to optimize mobility outcomes and address ongoing psychological needs.

Developing a research agenda on exercise and physical activity for people with limb loss in Canada.

PURPOSE: There is a lack of high-quality evidence about the effects of exercise or physical activity interventions for adults with lower limb amputations (LLAs). A planning meeting involving stakeholders (i.e., people with LLA, community advocates, health care providers, researchers) was organized to identify key research priorities related to exercise and physical activity for people with LLAs. METHODS: We used a collaborative prioritized planning process with a pre-meeting survey and 2-day virtual meeting that included: identification and prioritization of challenges or gaps; identification and consolidation of solutions; and action planning. This process integrated a modified Delphi approach, including anonymous feedback in two surveys. RESULTS: Thirty-five stakeholders participated. Six challenges related to exercise and physical activity for people with LLA were prioritized. One solution was prioritized for each challenge. After consolidation of solutions, participants developed five research action plans for research including: developing an on-line interface; developing and evaluating peer-support programs to support physical activity; examining integration of people with LLA into cardiac rehabilitation; development and evaluation of health provider education; and determining priority outcomes related to physical activity and exercise. CONCLUSIONS: This collaborative process resulted in an action plan for amputation research and fostered collaborations to move identified priorities into action.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONLower limb amputations impact mobility leading to lower levels of physical activity.There are research gaps in our understanding of the effects of exercise or physical activity interventions for adults with lower limb amputations.Through a collaborative planning process, participants prioritized research directions on physical activity and exercise for people with LLA to advance research in the field.Action plans for research focused on developing online resources, peer support, cardiac rehabilitation for people with LLA, health provider education and determining priority outcomes related to physical activity and exercise.

3D printing and amputation: a scoping review.

PURPOSE: Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an innovative technology being utilized to create prostheses for individuals with limb loss. However, there is a paucity of research on the feasibility of using this technology to fabricate prostheses. A scoping review was conducted to map the literature on 3D printing and its applications in the field of amputation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a scoping review framework, a systematic literature search was conducted in three electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL) for all indexed literature up to 29 June 2018. RESULTS: Twenty-eight articles met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies had small sample sizes (five participants or less; n = 20) and used a case study design (n = 17). The benefits of 3D printing technology include higher levels of customization and lower production costs. However, the functionality of 3D printed prostheses is lacking. There is also a need for more robust research designs to obtain a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of 3D printed prostheses and its impact on end-user outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of 3D printing technology has a number of benefits for improving the manufacturing process of devices for people with lower and upper limb loss. However, more research and technological advancements are required to fully understand the impact of this technology on patients and how it will affect their daily life. The long-term effects of this technology will also need to be investigated in order to produce a more sustainable alternative to traditional prostheses.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe use of 3D printing technology for the fabrication of prosthetics for persons with limb-loss has a number of promising features to improve the fitting and customization of these devices for this patient population.Although the costs of producing 3D printed devices is less expensive and burdensome than traditional approaches to manufacturing techniques, there is a need for additional technological advancements to improve the functionality of these devices.Future research needs to adopt more robust research designs with larger sample sizes to provide a better understanding of the viability of using 3D printing technology to improve patient outcomes.