Lower Extremity Functional And Mobility Status In Transfemoral Amputees In Malaysia: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Nur Amira Adlana, Nooranida Arifin, Noor Azuan Abu Osmana, Hasif Rafidee Hasbollahd, Saari Mohamad Yatime, Yusniza Mohd Yusoff

The feedback from the prosthetic user population is important as it is a part of the process to improve the current technology and ongoing rehabilitation. Thus, the relationship between mobility and life participation in adults with lower extremity conditions needs further investigation. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between functional mobility and quality of life among transfemoral amputees. The target group of study (transfemoral amputees) was recruited at three centres in Klang Valley. Two sets of self-report measures such as the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) and Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility (PLUS-MTM) were distributed through paper or online form. The independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation were used to test relationships. Data from 30 participants were extracted and included in the study. Average scores for LEFS and PLUS-MTM are 51.53 and 51.84, respectively. The statistical analyses for T-test and ANOVA showed that no significant differences (p > 0.05) were found in LEFS Scores and PLUS-MTM T-Scores among groups of transfemoral amputees classified by gender, ethnicity and aetiology. LEFS Score has a moderate positive correlation with the PLUS-M T-Score (r = 0.600, p < 0.001). Results from the study indicate that both LEFS and PLUS-MTM can be supported as reliable self-report measures to test the functional mobility, quality of life, and daily life activities among transfemoral amputees. LEFS instrument is relevant to assess the functional level and PLUS-MTM helps in evaluating prosthetic mobility