Quality of life following non-dysvascular lower limb amputation is contextualized through occupations: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: To understand how persons with non-dysvascular lower limb amputation (LLA) use occupations to contextualize their quality of life (QoL).

METHODS

A qualitative study using an interpretative description approach was conducted. Analysis of the interviews was guided by an occupational perspective, which considers the day-to-day activities that are important to an individual.

RESULTS

Twenty adults with an adult-acquired non-dysvascular amputation (e.g., trauma, cancer or infection) were interviewed. Following thematic analysis, two main themes were developed: (1) sense of self expressed through occupations; and (2) sense of belonging with others influenced by occupations. Participants expressed the way they felt about themselves through their activities and placed high value on whether they could participate in certain occupations. Participants also described how their sense of belonging was changed through the context of their changing occupations.

CONCLUSION

The findings from this work can be leveraged by clinicians and researchers alike to improve care for this population. Rehabilitation programs should consider interventions and programming that help to restore occupations or develop new ones given the importance placed on occupations by persons with non-dysvascular LLA.