Factor structure of the Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales (TAPES) with individuals with acquired upper limb amputations.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the factorial composition of the Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales (TAPES), a multidimensional assessment of adaptation to amputation and prosthesis, for use with individuals with acquired upper limb amputations.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey of members of the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association.


RESULTS
A total of 101 individuals (men, 100; mean age, 73.8 yrs, SD 11.94) with acquired upper limb amputations (98 traumatic cases) completed the TAPES. Principal components analyses with varimax rotation revealed four psychosocial subscales (general adjustment, social adjustment, optimal adjustment, and adjustment to limitation), four activity-restriction subscales (restriction of lifestyle, social restriction, occupational restriction, and restriction of mobility), and a single prosthesis-satisfaction subscale. Each of these subscales had high internal reliability.


CONCLUSIONS
The TAPES structure can be meaningfully represented in terms of nine internally consistent subscales. Additional research needs to be done on the TAPES for use with individuals with upper limb amputations. In particular studies of the scales, predictive validity is warranted.
Dublin Psychoprosthetics Group, Department of Psychology, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
Deirdre M
DM
Desmond
Malcolm
M
MacLachlan
D000368:Aged; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001132:Arm; D001186:Artificial Limbs / Q000523:psychology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012917:Social Adjustment