Correlation between quality of life and locomotor capabilities of persons following a lower limb amputation

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between quality of life and locomotor capabilities index of persons following a lower limb amputation. Methods: Twenty-five lower-limb amputee subjects were included, 15 in prosthetic stage and 10 in the healing postamputation stage. Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Healthy Survey (SF-36) and Locomotors Capabilities Index were used for quality of life assessment. Nonparametric Spearman test was used to correlate the variables (p<0.05). Results: In prosthetic group, there was a moderate and positive correlation between locomotor capabilities index and the SF-36 domains: bodily pain (r=0.5146, p=0.0497), social functioning (r=0.5762, p=0.0246), role-emotional (r=0.5158, p=0.0490) and mental health (r=0.5784, p=0.0239). For the group in the healing postamputation stage, the same correlation was observed only with the mental health domain (r=0.6440, p=0.0490). Conclusion: There is a correlation between locomotor capabilities index and mental health domain in persons following a lower limb amputation.