INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP OF REINTEGRATION PROCESS TO NORMAL LIVING AFTER AMPUTATION WITH QUALITY OF LIFE AND FUNCTIONAL LEVEL

Purpose: This study was carried out to investigate the relationship of reintegration to normal living process with quality of life and functional level and to determine the factors effecting reintegration to normal living process. Methods: 120 subjects aged between 18-50 years who had unilateral extremity amputation were included. Turkish version of Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI) survey was used to evaluate reintegration. Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scale (TAPES) was used to determine the factors regarding the use of prosthesis and the level of compliance with the prosthesis and to evaluate the functional level for amputees. Quality of life was assessed by Short Form-36 (SF-36). A general amputee assessment questionnaire including information about demographics, amputation and prosthetics and occupation which was developed by the researchers was used. Results: Statistically significant relationships were found between subdivisions and total scores of RNLI and subdivisions and summary scales of SF-36 (p<0.05). Statistically significant relationships were found between subdivisions of RNLI and subdivisions of TAPES that includes psychosocial adjustment, activity limitation, satisfaction with the prosthesis (p<0.05). Reintegration to normal living was impressed by education level, status of receiving rehabilitation, stump and phantom pain, perception of general health status and general physical capacity (p<0.05). Discussion: This study was showed that reintegration to normal living process was associated with quality of life and functional level.