Body image perception, compliance with a prosthesis and cognitive performance in transfemoral amputees

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess mutual associations of body image perception, compliance with the prosthesis and cognitive performance in transfemoral amputees. METHODS: Fourty transfemoral amputee (30 male and 10 female), who had a traumatic and unilateral amputation were included in this study. The mean age of the patients at the time of study was 37 ± 9.9 and the mean age at amputation was 12.6 ± 9.4 years. Patients's body image perception and compliance with the prosthesis paramaters were evaluated with Amputee Body Image Scale (ABIS) and Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales (TAPES). MoCA (The Montreal Cognitive Assessment) has been used to determine the cognitive ability of the participant. All tests has been administered by dual task method during ambulation. Patients who had neurologic or cognitive deficit were excluded from the study. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant relationship between an individual's body image perception and cognitive performance. Body image perception was significantly and negatively correlated with the MoCA score (r = −0.514, p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between psychosocial adjustment, prosthesis satisfaction and MoCA scores (r = 0.550, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Body image satisfaction, psychosocial adjustment, lack of activity restriction, and satisfaction with prosthesis are positively associated with cognitive performance of transfemoral amputees. Before beginning the amputee rehabilitation programs, we recommend to include not only physical functions, but also consider body image and cognitive functions as assessment parameters. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Diagnostic Study.