Leisure activities following a lower limb amputation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to describe leisure activities, leisure satisfaction and constraints on participation in leisure following a unilateral lower limb amputation due to vascular disease.


METHODS
This study used a mixed-method approach where 15 individuals with lower limb amputation completed the individual leisure profile 2-3 months post-discharge from rehabilitation. A subsample (n = 8) also participated in semi-structured interviews analysed using the Miles and Huberman analytic method.


RESULTS
Results show that participants were involved in 12 different leisure activities on average. Compared to before the amputation, a decrease in participation was observed in all categories of leisure activity, and especially crafts, nature and outdoor activities, mechanics, sports and physical activities. Nonetheless, overall satisfaction was high. The most important constraints on participation in leisure were lack of accessibility, material considerations, functional abilities, affective constraints and social constraints.


CONCLUSIONS
A decrease in leisure activity participation and the presence of constraints do not automatically translate into low levels of leisure satisfaction.
Couture
Mélanie
M
Research Centre on Aging, University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke, 1036, rue Belvédère sud, Sherbrooke, J1H 4C4 Quebec, Canada. melanie.couture@usherbrooke.ca
Caron
Chantal D
CD
Desrosiers
Johanne
J
D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery*; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires