Award Date

5-15-2026

Degree Type

Doctoral Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Committee Member

Szu Ping Lee

Second Committee Member

Daniel Young

Third Committee Member

Kai-Yu Ho

Number of Pages

86

Abstract

Objective

Longitudinal research studies are essential for understanding the time course of functional recovery after lower limb amputation (LLA). The purpose of this scoping review was to evaluate the existing evidence base regarding mid- to long-term outcomes following non-traumatic LLA.

Data Sources

A scoping review was conducted per Joanna Briggs Institute and Open Sciences Framework guidelines. Based on purpose, seven databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, SportDiscus, and Google Scholar) were searched for studies published between 2000–2024, in English, Mandarin Chinese, Tagalog, Persian, or Spanish.

Study Selection

Eligible studies must include at least 50% of participants with non-traumatic major LLA within 3 years after their amputation and report outcomes at two or more timepoints spanning at least 3 months.

Data Extraction

We extracted data including study design, phase of rehabilitation, duration of follow-up, participant characteristics, outcome measures used, and intervention purpose and types.

Data Synthesis

Of 5,936 records screened, 85 were included in this review. In accordance with the JBI guidelines, appraisal of study quality was not conducted. Most studies were conducted in Europe (42.4%) with much less representation from Asia, Oceania/Australia/New Zealand, Africa and Latin America. The studies encompass data from a total of 424,422 participants (mean age: 58.3 years; 55% male). Specific to time since amputation, 57 studies (67.0%) started immediately after amputation. Only 21 % of studies followed patients beyond one-year post-amputation. The most commonly reported outcome domains are performance-based (19.5%), psychological (18.3%), and other medical outcomes (17.2 %). Of the 174 unique outcome measures identified, 55.7% are patient-reported and 44.2% are performance-based measures.

Conclusions

This review highlights a growing body of evidence regarding mid- to long-term outcomes after non-traumatic LLA. The current evidence base focuses primarily on peri-operative recovery. Identified gaps in research include disparity in geographical and population representation, lack of long-term follow-up, and lack of psychosocial outcomes such as social reintegration and participation.

Keywords

Lower limb amputation; longitudinal; outcome measures; physical; psychological

Disciplines

Physical Therapy

File Format

PDF

File Size

1719 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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