Self-Reported Cognitive Concerns in People With Lower Limb Loss

ObjectivesTo investigate differences between self-reported cognitive concerns in people with lower limb loss (LLL) and normative data derived from the U.S. general population, and secondarily to determine whether there were cognitive differences based on amputation etiology or age.DesignSurvey.SettingGeneral community.ParticipantsA volunteer sample of persons with LLL (N=1086) resulting from trauma or dysvascular complications who regularly use a prosthetic limb.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasureThe Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders Applied Cognition–General Concerns Short Form version 1.0 (Neuro-QoL ACGC), an 8-item self-report measure of general cognitive concerns.ResultsPeople with LLL reported significantly more cognitive concerns than the Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders normative sample. Mean Neuro-QoL ACGC scores were significantly lower than normative values (P<.001) across subgroups defined by age (ie, <40, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, and 70+ years) and subgroups defined by etiology (ie, traumatic and dysvascular LLL). However, there were no significant differences in cognitive concerns among age subgroups (P=.84) or between the etiology subgroups (P=.58).ConclusionsWhen compared with the Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders normative sample, individuals with LLL report greater concerns with cognitive health. Cognitive concerns were not differentially affected by age or cause of amputation. The presence of cognitive concerns in people with LLL suggests a need to assess perceived cognitive function in order to tailor education and training in prosthetic use and care.