Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41595390›Full record

ReviewHealthcare (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Enhancing Performance and Quality of Life in Lower Limb Amputees: Physical Activity, a Valuable Tool-A Scoping Review.

Federica Delbello, Leonardo Zullo, Andrea Giacomini, Emiliana Bizzarini

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Federica DelbelloSpinal Unit, Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Institute, via Gervasutta 48, 33100 Udine, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-3963-7776
Leonardo ZulloSpinal Unit, Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Institute, via Gervasutta 48, 33100 Udine, Italy.
Andrea GiacominiSchool of Physiotherapy, University of Udine, via Gervasutta 48, 33100 Udine, Italy.
Emiliana BizzariniSpinal Unit, Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Institute, via Gervasutta 48, 33100 Udine, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesLower limb amputation (LLA) negatively affects the physical and psychological health of individuals, leading to a lower quality of life and sedentary lifestyle. The objective of this scoping review is to search for evidence regarding physical activity interventions in individuals with LLA, investigating improvements in specific outcomes related to quality of life and performance.

methodsPRISMA guidelines-extension for scoping reviews-were used to structure the study. The research was conducted between 26 July 2023 and 30 September 2023; it was structured by defining two PICO questions (P = amputation, I = physical exercise, O1 = quality of life, and O2 = performance) through Pubmed, Cochrane, and Pedro databases. The study included subjects with LLA of any etiology, in prosthetic or pre-prosthetic phase, practicing non-competitive physical activity. The results were then subjected to both qualitative and quantitative analysis.

resultsOf the 615 studies identified, 18 were included in the review. They consisted of 6 systematic reviews (SR), 5 RCTs, 4 case-control studies, 1 case report (CR), and 2 cross-sectional (CS). Physical activity (PA) interventions were extremely heterogeneous and were, therefore, categorized into 6 modalities: surveys were the most reported strategies (57%), followed by personalized training (23%), strength training (13%), endurance training (13%), combined training (2%), and gait training (5%). Due to the heterogeneity of the studies, the variety of interventions proposed and the different outcomes registered, there is no evidence that one approach is more effective than another, while each group showed benefits on different specific outcomes. In total, five outcome categories were identified: quality of life was the most frequently analysed (42%), followed by cardiovascular fitness (20%), muscular fitness (14%), gait parameters (13%), functionality and disability (11%).

conclusionsPA represents a valuable strategy for improving performance and quality of life in individuals with LLA, offering a variety of interventions. Although there is no evidence that one strategy is better than the others, each activity has proven to be effective on specific outcomes, therefore, the choice must depend on the patient's necessities. The preferred option should be the personalization of the training according to individual needs, coupled with long-term planning and remote monitoring. Creating meeting places and supporting occasions for sports activities could be a valid option. Further research could help to clarify the benefits of such interventions and enhance the understanding of how to optimize the management of LLA patients.

Indexed as

amputationhealth-promoting behaviorspersonalized trainingsports activities

Identifiers

PMID41595390
PMCPMC12841301

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.