Self-Management for Amputee Rehabilitation Using Technology

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of 6 weeks of the SMART Program on the walking capacity and confidence of individuals with unilateral lower limb amputation (LLA). Our primary hypothesis is that SMART can improve walking capacity in individuals with LLA. Our secondary hypothesis is that SMART can improve ambulation confidence, body function, depression, body image, pain, balance confidence, activities of daily living, satisfaction with life and habit formation for skin monitoring and prosthetic cleaning in individuals with LLA. A post-intervention one on one interview will be conducted to understand SMART acceptability. The entirety of the study, including intervention administration, assessment, and interviews will be conducted online.

Participants will receive an online link to access the SMART platform. Online training on using the SMART platform will be provided for participants. Participants will be asked to complete one education module per week at their own convenience and weekly online meetings with a peer over the 6-week intervention period. The educational modules include psychological adaptation, residual limb management, nutrition/weight control, managing a prosthetic limb, managing chronic conditions and enhancing mobility. The modules include instructional movies, goal setting logs, and quizzes. A module can be stopped or "re-wound" at any point, and the participant's place and work-to-date is automatically saved. The SMART platform will be asynchronously monitored through a web portal by the trainer, who will be a PhD candidate in Rehabilitation Sciences and observe participant progress and provide feedback if required. If there is no online activity within a 7-day (consecutive) period, the trainer will contact the participant to inquire the reasons for inactivity and troubleshoot any problems including technical issues. Clinical outcomes measures will be collected at two timepoints (T1 \& T2). A post-intervention one on one interview will be conducted to explore SMART acceptability.