The objective of the study is to assess the effects of prosthesis training with and without phantom exercises on pain, prosthesis satisfaction and ambulatory status of lower limb amputees treated with prosthesis training, phantom exercises and routine physical therapy.
Amputation is a catastrophic incident in a person's life which resulted in psychological, social and physical consequences. Loss of extremity resulted in negative impact on patient's body and perception as well. Phantom limb pain (PLP) can be defined by discomfort or pain in lost part of limb experienced by lower limb amputees. Phantom limb pain is physically and mentally draining condition which affects patient's daily activities like personal care and functional independence. Phantom limb pain is highly prevalent condition among lower limb amputees. It is associated with negative effect on mental and physical health conditions. There are studies conducted on prosthesis training for prosthesis satisfaction. However, according to researcher knowledge effects of prosthesis training along with phantom exercises have not been measured on prosthesis satisfaction. This study will encourage future studies on this topic and will help in developing state of art treatment of phantom limb discomfort associated with lower limb subtraction. As managing phantom discomfort can result in better prosthesis satisfaction and eventually ease the ambulatory status of patient.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
50
Training for prostheses at the appropriate amputation level will be provided. Conventional gait training protocols include Tandem walk, within parallel bar, controlled environment, full length Mirror on one side, weight shifting, shifting onto the Prosthetic Side, Pelvic 22 rotation, Stepping on multiple heights and positions, Tandem walk, within parallel bar, and weight shifting. Gait training will last six weeks in total.
The phantom exercises involved visualizing and then trying to perform the movements of the phantom limb.
The University of Lahore
Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan
Prosthesis satisfaction level
To check prosthesis satisfaction of the amputees, Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales (TAPES) will be used. It assesses prosthetic satisfaction on the basis of the functional, aesthetic, and weight subscales. TAPES evaluates how well people adjust to physical limitations that may have an impact on social behavior.Scores range from 5 to 25, with higher scores indicating greater levels of adjustment.
Time frame: It will be assessed at 6th week after the application of intervention.
Phantom Limb Pain Intensity
To measure pain intensity, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) will be used. VAS consists of a 10cm line, with two endpoints representing 0 ('no pain') and 10 ('pain as bad as it could be').
Time frame: Pain intensity will be assessed at baseline and any change in pain intensity will be measured at 6th week of intervention.
Ambulation Status
The Amputee Mobility Predictor (AMP) analyses an amputee's movement with or without a prosthesis to determine their potential for ambulation. A rapid and simple-to-use assessment instrument called the Amputee Mobility Predictor (AMP) was used to estimate the functional condition of lower-limb amputees both with and without the use of a prosthesis. AMPPRO 0-42 (47 if the assistive device is included) and AMPPRO 0-38 (43 if the assistive device is included). Higher scores indicate better mobility.
Time frame: Ambulation status will be observed at baseline and any change will be assessed at 6th week of intervention.
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