Dysvascular Amputation Self-Management of Health

Improving Health Self-Management Using Walking Biobehavioral Intervention for People With Dysvascular Lower Limb Amputation

The purpose of this study is to determine if walking biobehavioral intervention improves physical activity after dysvascular lower limb amputation.

Sedentary lifestyles and high levels of disability are relevant public and personal health issues resulting from the chronic comorbid condition of dysvascular lower limb amputation. This study examines the use of an evidence-based walking biobehavioral intervention to increase physical activity after dysvascular amputation. The proposed intervention leverages successes in conventional prosthetic rehabilitation, while addressing the complex health conditions and chronic sedentary behaviors that underlie dysvascular amputation, with the ultimate goal of improved physical activity self-management to minimize disability.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Within the age range of 50-85 years
• Confirmed diagnosis of Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and/or Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
• Transtibial, knee disarticulation, or transfemoral lower-limb amputation (LLA) (or re-amputation) within the past 12 months
• Participant goal of household walking or better using a prosthesis

Exclusion Criteria:

• Trauma or cancer-related etiology of the LLA
• Decisionally challenged individuals (MMSE score below 24)
• Prisoners
• Active cancer treatment
• Recent stroke (within 2 years)
• Clinical discretion of principal investigator to exclude patients who are determined to be unsafe and/or inappropriate to participate in the described intervention.