Article

Community living individuals with lower limb amputation have low
balance confidence but the level of balance confidence in the first six months
after discharge from prosthetic rehabilitation is not known. OBJECTIVES: To
determine if balance confidence levels differ after discharge from prosthetic
rehabilitation and to determine if balance confidence at discharge predicts
social activity at three months post-discharge while controlling for important
covariates such as walking ability. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS:
Subjects (n = 65) experiencing their first unilateral transfemoral or transtibial
amputation were recruited and followed-up one and three months post-discharge.
Measures of balance confidence (Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale) and
walking ability (L Test) collected at discharge were used to predict social
activity (Frenchay Activities Index) at follow-up. RESULTS: Despite a 14-second
mean improvement in walking ability the mean balance confidence scores did not
change significantly between discharge (71.2/100) and at three-month follow-up
(69.4/100). Confidence scores and basic walking ability at discharge were the two
strongest predictors of three-month social activity. Multiple regression
modelling indicated that balance confidence and walking ability explained 64% of
the variance (standardized beta = 0.34 and -0.37 respectively) in social activity
(adjusted R(2) = 39%). CONCLUSIONS: Balance confidence after discharge from
prosthetic rehabilitation for lower limb amputation is low and scores do not
improve over the first three months post-discharge despite improvements in
walking ability. Discharge balance scores confidence independently predicts
three-month social activity scores.

Langue : ANGLAIS