title: Cognitive functioning in persons with lower limb amputations: a review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the literature on cognitive functioning in persons with lower limb amputations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A search of the MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Web of Science databases was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty papers were found that met the inclusion criteria. The studies were characterised by heterogeneity of design, methodological quality, sample characteristics, assessment of cognitive functioning, and outcomes examined. The research published to date suggests that cognitive impairment is more prevalent among persons with lower limb amputations than in the general population, and is linked with a number of important outcomes in this patient group, including mobility, prosthesis use, and maintenance of independence following amputation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings highlight the importance of assessing the cognitive abilities of persons with lower limb amputations. An understanding of the cognitive profile of these patients could assist rehabilitation teams in determining their suitability for prosthetic or wheelchair rehabilitation, ascertaining appropriate and realistic goals for rehabilitation, and tailoring rehabilitation programmes to patients' strengths so that maximal mobility and independence is achieved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Cognitive impairment appears to be more prevalent among persons with lower limb amputations than in the general population. • Cognitive impairment is negatively associated with mobility, prosthesis use, and maintenance of independence following amputation. • Cognitive screening prior to rehabilitation could assist in determining patients' suitability for prosthetic or wheelchair use, ascertaining appropriate goals, and tailoring rehabilitation to patients' strengths so as to optimise their mobility and independence.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Health, School of Nursing and Human Sciences, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Coffey
authors.forename: Fiadhnait
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: O'Keeffe
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Desmond
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lombard-Vance
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001186:Artificial Limbs / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery*; D008568:Memory; D011788:Quality of Life