# Needs, Preferences and Functional Abilities of Veterans and Service Members with Upper Limb Amputation

> **NIH VA I01** · PROVIDENCE VA  MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · —

## Abstract

BACKGROUND Quality gaps in care of military and Veterans with upper limb amputation have been reported.
In 2008, amputees receiving prosthetic care in the VA were reported to be less satisfied than counterparts
receiving care in the private sector. In 2011, reported widespread dissatisfaction amongst combat Veterans
with upper limb loss led to calls for efforts to evaluate needs of Veterans with traumatic upper limb amputations
to improve satisfaction. Major efforts to improve quality of prosthetic care have been made since these studies
were conducted. In 2009, the VA reorganized its amputation system of care, and in 2014 the VA and DOD
released the Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) for the rehabilitation of persons with upper
limb amputation. It is now time for a comprehensive study to assess the current state of quality and outcomes
of amputation rehabilitation for upper limb amputees and to track quality and outcomes over time.
OBJECTIVES Our objective is to provide comprehensive cross-sectional and longitudinal data on function,
needs, preferences, and satisfaction of Veterans and service members with major upper limb amputation. This
project modification adds subaims 1a and 2a to provide comprehensive data on women Veterans with upper
limb amputation.
SPECIFIC AIMS/HYPOTHESES
1) Describe patterns of prosthesis use; identify the impact of amputation and prosthesis use on
function, activities and participation; and identify unmet prosthetic needs This aim will test 5 major
hypotheses: 1) rates of prosthesis use and scores on prosthesis satisfaction scales will be higher for
transradial (TR) amputees as compared to persons with more proximal amputations ; 2) there will be higher
rates of prosthesis use and satisfaction amongst those with amputation in the past 5 years as compared to
those who sustained amputation 6 or more years ago; 3) any prosthesis use, and myoelectric use will be
associated with lower ratings of disability and neck pain compared to no prosthesis use and body-powered use
respectively; 4) perceived difficulty of everyday activity function will be rated similarly for persons with unilateral
upper limb amputation regardless of level, with no differences between users by type of prosthetic device.
However, perceived difficulty in performing activities that require bimanual involvement will be greater for
persons with more proximal as compared to TR amputation; 5) a greater proportion of activities will be
performed using the prosthesis by persons with TR amputation as compared to more proximal amputation.
 1a. Compare findings by gender. This sub aim will test the hypotheses that there will be an effect
 modification by gender, with female upper limb amputees being less satisfied with their prosthesis
 regardless years since amputation,
2) Conduct a one year longitudinal follow-up survey to examine changes in satisfaction with care and
prosthetic services, physical performance, self-reported quality of life and...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9901473
- **Project number:** 5I01RX002707-04
- **Recipient organization:** PROVIDENCE VA  MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** LINDA J. RESNIK
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-05-01 → 2021-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9901473

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9901473, Needs, Preferences and Functional Abilities of Veterans and Service Members with Upper Limb Amputation (5I01RX002707-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9901473. Licensed CC0.

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