Iranian Journal of War and Public Health

Aims: Nowadays, any increase in the quality of life of different social classes is considered as important. The pain self-efficiency can affect the level of quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of physical activities on the quality of life and pain self-efficiency in persons with lower limb amputations.

Instrument & Methods: In the descriptive cross-sectional study, 110 lower-limb amputees, including 25 veterans and 85 non-veterans, referring to Tehran Red Crescent Office were studied in 2015. The subjects were selected via purposive sampling method. Data was collected using physical activity level, quality of life, and pain self-efficiency questionnaires.  Data was analyzed by SPSS 19 software using Pearson correlation coefficient, multi variable ANOVA, and Bonferroni post-hoc tests.

Findings: There were significant correlations between all components of quality of life and pain self-efficiency in lower-limb veteran and non-veteran amputees groups and independent, relatively dependent, and completely dependent physical activity levels (p=0.001). There were significantly higher total mean scores of physical functioning, mental functioning, quality of life, and pain self-efficiency in independent lower-limb veteran amputees than relatively dependent and dependent veteran and non-veteran groups (p<0.05). There were positive and significant correlations between the scores of instrumental and non-instrumental daily activities and physical functioning, mental functioning, quality of life, and pain self-efficiency variables (p=0.001).    

Conclusion: There are higher levels of physical functioning, mental functioning, quality of life, and pain self-efficiency in the lower-limb amputees with independent physical activities than with relatively dependent and dependent physical activities.