Identification of Priority Clinical Variables in Rehabilitation of Lower Extremity Amputation

Primary outcomes

1. Houghton Scale

   Time frame: 10 minutes

   This tool categorizes walking ability among lower limb amputees: independent ambulation in the community (score ≥9), independent ambulation in the home or limited community (score 6-8), and limited ambulation in the home (score ≤5)

2. Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test

   Time frame: 5 minutes

   This test assesses balance and fall risk. Performance categories were as follows: ≤10 seconds (normal mobility), ≤20 seconds (good mobility, can walk without assistance), ≤30 seconds (needs gait aid, cannot walk outside independently). A score of ≥14 seconds indicates a high fall risk

3. Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales

   Time frame: 10 minutes

   TAPES is a 33-item self-reported questionnaire measuring psychosocial adaptation, activity restriction, and prosthetic satisfaction. The subscales include general adjustment, social adjustment, and adjustment to limitation, along with functional and aesthetic satisfaction

4. Short-Form Health Survey score

   Time frame: 10 minutes

   (SF-12) is a 12-item, self-rated, health quality instrument and it was validated into many languages as well as for many diseases. It has eight domains represented with one or two questionnaire items; these domains are physical functioning, role participation with physical health problems (role-physical), bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role participation with emotional health problems (role-emotional), and mental health. It consists of 12 items where two of the items are three-point Likert type, the others are five-point Likert type

5. The Locomotor Capabilities Index-5

   Time frame: 10 minutes

   (LCI-5) is a 14-item questionnaire specifically designed to measure walking ability of lower-limb amputees. Two subscales emerge from this general construct; basic abilities (7 items) and advanced abilities (7 items). The items inquire about the ability to perform activities and the level of independence while performing these activities. Each of the 14 items is graded on a 4-point ordinal scale; 0 (not able to), 1 (yes, with help from other person), 2 (yes, with supervision) and 3 (yes, independently). The total LCI score is the sum of the item scores and can range from 0 (worst) to 42 (best). Similarly, subscale scores for basic and advanced capabilities with the prosthesis can range from 0 to 21

6. Medicare Functional Classification Level

   Time frame: 10 minutes

   (MFCL) is a classification system that categorizes the ambulatory potential of patients with lower limb amputations according to their functional mobility. The classification ranges from K0 (no prosthetic potential) to K4 (high functional potential for advanced physical activities)

7. Falls Efficacy Scale

   Time frame: 10 minutes

   FES is a test used to assess participants' fear of falling and confidence in performing daily activities without falling. It is a 10-item self-report questionnaire that assesses perceived confidence in performing activities of daily living (e.g. dressing, bathing) without falling. Each item is scored on a 10-point Likert scale; 1 = very confident and 10 = not confident at all, with higher scores indicating greater fear of falling and lower self-efficacy. The total score ranges from 10 to 100