College
College of Education
Department
Kinesiology
Abstract
The prevalence of limb loss in the United States is estimated at 1.9 million instances with approximately 185,000 amputations occurring annually. Studies report that after lower-limb amputation, patients have high levels of pain, leading to restrictions in functional activity, and are at risk for developing avoidance behaviors. Potential contributing factors include muscle weakness leading to balance and gait abnormalities, which perpetuates low mobility and mobility apprehension. The aim of the study was to determine factors associated with mobility apprehension in individuals who underwent surgery for a lower-limb amputation. Adult participants who had a well-fitting prosthesis and had the ability to ambulate at least 10 feet were asked to participate in the study. Participants completed questionnaires regarding demographic information and self-report instruments measuring mobility apprehension. Mobility apprehension was measured using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK). Of the participants, 65% reported a fall in the past year and 80% reported comorbidities (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease). Linear regression analyses showed hip and core strength were independently related to balance (r = .451, p = .046; r = .39; p = .085; respectively). Fear of movement was not related to any of the study variables. Results may assist clinicians in aiming rehabilitation and exercise programs towards increasing hip and core strength, thus improving balance to promote better mobility for individuals with a lower-limb amputation. Further research is needed to identify factors that cause mobility apprehension.
Recommended Citation
Welch, Maggi R.
(2019)
"A Novel Model to Identify Factors Associated with Mobility Apprehension,"
Perpetua: The Journal of Undergraduate Research at UAH: Vol. 4:
Iss.
1, Article 5.
Available at:
https://louis.uah.edu/perpetua/vol4/iss1/5