SynthesisBMC musculoskeletal disorders2025
Effects of exercise on physical performance and quality of life in individuals with limb amputation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveAlthough growing evidence supports the benefits of physical exercise for amputees, existing studies present inconsistent findings. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether exercise interventions can effectively enhance physical performance and quality of life in individuals with lower-limb amputation.
methodsSeven databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, OVID, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science) were systematically searched up to April 21, 2025. Study quality was assessed using the RoB 2 tool, and meta-analyses were performed using R software (version 4.1.3).
resultsA total of 18 randomized controlled trials were included, with 7 studies incorporated into the meta-analysis. Evidence ranging from low to moderate quality suggests that exercise interventions yield significant benefits for individuals with limb amputation. Compared to usual care, exercise significantly improved gait speed [WMD = 0.009, 95% CI (0.03, 0.16), P = 0.004], 2-min walk test performance [WMD = 8.81, 95% CI (1.92, 15.7), P = 0.012], and Timed Up and Go test scores [WMD = -2.01, 95% CI (-3.90, -0.13), P = 0.037]. No significant difference was observed in the Life-Space Community Index [WMD = -0.44, 95% CI (-2.48, 1.61), P = 0.676]. Qualitative findings further supported the beneficial effects of exercise, although outcomes varied depending on exercise modality and assessment tools. In addition, heterogeneity in intervention protocols and participant characteristics limited the ability to conduct formal subgroup analyses or draw definitive conclusions.
conclusionTargeted exercise prescriptions can improve physical performance and quality of life in individuals with limb amputation. These findings support the integration of individualized exercise strategies into rehabilitation programs. However, heterogeneity in participant characteristics (e.g., age, gender, etiology, and amputation level) remains underexplored. Future research should address this diversity to optimize rehabilitation strategies for different subpopulations.
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