Participants attended the motor imagery training prior to beginning actual temporary prosthetic (VESSA) training

Participants attended the motor imagery training alongside actual temporary prosthetic (VESSA) training

The motor imagery intervention aimed to: (1) introduce rationale, mechanisms of action, and advantages of MI; (2) facilitate kinesthetic and functional familiarization with the prosthesis; and (3) enhance prosthetic gait, weight-bearing, balance and turning.

The protocol followed MI paradigms and methodologies (e.g., combining visual and kinesthetic modalities), including the PETTLEP model that was previously used in amputees. The MI contents addressed movement range of motion, quality, timing, and lower extremity and whole-body intersegmental coordination with motor tasks serving as outcome measures not being explicitly practiced.

The following components were included:

1. Introduction to MI- definition, mechanisms of effect, advantages, modalities, and perspectives.
2. Acquaintance with and embodiment of the stump, MI of the prosthesis and MI of the stump-prosthesis interaction (e.g., contact area, pressure).
3. Weight bearing and shifting during sit-to-stand, standing and gait.

The actual number of participants successfully recruited for each group

The lack of adverse events or negative effects throughout the intervention.

The percentage of MI sessions successfully complated by participants

Opinions and insights expressed by the participants about the intervention.

A functional assessment of mobility level for determining the appropriate prosthetic prescription. The test consists of 21 daily living functional motor tasks (e.g., turning, sitting down, and walking over an obstacle). Scores are "0" ('inability to perform the task'), "1" ('minimal level of achievement or that some assistance was required in completing the task'), or "2" ('complete independence or mastery of the task'). A higher score indicates a greater level of prosthesis function.

An 18-item test for assessing patients' daily functioning inside and outside the hospital ward. Each item is rated on a 7-point scale, with higher scores representing less assistance needed by the patient. Scoring categories are: fully independent (109-126), independent with assistance devices (91-108), requiring supervision (73-90), requiring assistance (37-72), and fully dependent (nursing care; 18-36). Higher scores mean a better outcome.

A 10-item questionnaire for assessing perceptual correlates of successful body-prosthesis interaction (i.e., acceptance). Scores for each item are on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from "-3" ('strongly disagree') to "+3" ('strongly agree'). Higher scores mean better outcome (i.e., higher prosthesis embodiment).