Disparities in functional recovery after dysvascular lower limb amputation are associated with employment status and self-efficacy.
Sheila M Clemens, Kiarri N Kershaw, Cody L McDonald and 5 others
PMID 35723056WHAT IT FOUND
People with dysvascular lower limb amputation who were not working full-time had significantly poorer prosthetic mobility and self-efficacy.
Self-efficacy was the strongest predictor of mobility, masking the direct contribution of employment status.
Key findings
01Participants not working full-time exhibited significantly poorer scores on performance-based mobility tests (cTUG and 2-MWT) and self-reported mobility (PLUS-M) compared to those working full-time.
02Self-efficacy was the strongest predictor of prosthetic mobility scores in regression models, masking the unique contribution of full-time employment status.
03Full-time employment was associated with walking approximately 24 meters further during the 2-minute walk test and completing the cTUG six seconds faster.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Small sample size (n=49) with only 10 participants working full-time, resulting in low statistical power. Cross-sectional design prevents determination of causality or temporal relationships between employment, self-efficacy, and mobility. Employment status was self-categorized without specific definitions for full-time or part-time work. No distinction was made between paid and unpaid employment or retirement details. The study did not include sex or race/ethnicity in the final regression models.
Declared interests
The authors declared no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that full-time employment causes better mobility. The study is cross-sectional and underpowered, and self-efficacy was the strongest predictor of mobility, potentially explaining the association with employment.