Prosthesis evaluation questionnaire for persons with lower limb amputations: assessing prosthesis-related quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a self-report questionnaire for persons with lower limb amputations who use a prosthesis. The resulting scales were intended to be suitable to evaluate the prosthesis and life with the prosthesis. The conceptual framework was health-related quality of life.


METHODS
Multiple steps of scale development, terminating with test-retest of the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ) by mail. SOURCE OF SAMPLE: Records from two Seattle hospitals.


METHODS
Ninety-two patients with lower limb amputations who varied by age, reason for amputation, years since amputation, and amputation level.


METHODS
The 10 scales used were 4 prosthesis function scales (Usefulness, Residual Limb Health, Appearance, and Sounds), 2 mobility scales (Ambulation and Transfers), 3 psychosocial scales (Perceived Responses, Frustration, and Social Burden), and 1 Well-being scale. Validation measures were the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36, the Social Interaction subscale from the Sickness Impact Profile, and the Profile of Mood States-short form.


RESULTS
Nine PEQ scales demonstrated high internal consistency. All met test-retest criteria for comparing group results. Validity was described based on methods used to gather original items, distribution of scores, and comparison of scores with criterion variables.


CONCLUSIONS
The PEQ scales displayed good psychometric properties. Future work will assess responsiveness of PEQ scales to changes in prosthetic components. We conclude that they will be useful in evaluation of prosthetic care.
Division of Health Services Research and Development, Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle Division, WA, USA.
M W
MW
Legro
G D
GD
Reiber
D G
DG
Smith
M
M
del Aguila
J
J
Larsen
D
D
Boone
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001186:Artificial Limbs / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery*; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*