Use of an innovative model to evaluate mobility in seniors with lower-limb amputations of vascular origin: a pilot study

Background The mobility of older individuals has often been only partially assessed, without considering all important aspects such as potential (available) versus effective (used) mobilities and the physical and psychosocial factors that modulate them. This study proposes a new model for evaluating mobility that considers all important aspects, applied here to lower-limb amputees with vascular origin. This model integrates the concepts of potential mobility (e.g. balance, speed of movement), effective mobility (e.g. life habits, movements in living areas) and factors that modulate these two types of mobility (e.g. strength, sensitivity, social support, depression). The main objective was to characterize potential and effective mobility as well as mobility modulators in a small sample of people with lower-limb amputations of vascular origin with different characteristics. The second objective of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of measuring all variables in the model in a residential context. Methods An observational and transversal design was used with a heterogeneous sample of 10 participants with a lower-limb amputation of vascular origin, aged 51 to 83, assessed between eight and 18 months after discharge from an acute care hospital. A questionnaire of participant characteristics and 16 reliable and valid measurements were used. Results The results show that the potential mobility indicators do not accurately predict effective mobility, i.e., participants who perform well on traditional measures done in the laboratory or clinic are not always those who perform well in the real world. The model generated 4 different profiles (categories) of participants ranging from reduced to excellent potential mobility and low to excellent effective mobility, and characterized the modulating factors. The evaluations were acceptable in terms of the time taken (three hours) and the overall measurements, with a few exceptions, which were modified to optimize the data collected and the classification of the participants. For the population assessed, the results showed that some of the negative modulators (particularly living alone, no rehabilitation, pain, limited social support, poor muscle strength) played an important role in reducing effective mobility. Conclusion The first use of the model revealed interesting data that add to our understanding of important aspects linked to potential and effective mobility as well as modulators. The feasibility of measuring all variables in the model in a residential context was demonstrated. A study with a large number of participants is now warranted to rigorously characterize mobility levels of lower-limb amputees with vascular origin.


Background
Good mobility, considered very broadly in the field of health (walking, physical activity, participation in society, ability to drive, having access to public transportation, etc.) [1] is the key to autonomy for seniors in their living environment [2]. However, the global profile of mobility in seniors following surgery is not well known, especially in the year following their discharge from an acute care hospital. One of the reasons for this lack of an overall vision is the lack of a model for evaluating mobility that would be comprehensive enough to include all aspects of mobility [3]. Another reason is that certain populations who go through convalescence never undergo rehabilitation. This is particularly the case for people who have had lower-limb amputations of vascular origin in Quebec (Canada), 75% of whom are not referred for rehabilitation [4]. In addition to the absence of clinical follow-up in this population, there has been little research at the international level since most of the mobility studies identified in people with vascular amputation focused on individuals who received prosthetic rehabilitation [5]. What happened to those people who do not receive this specific service? The population concerned is substantial: some 158,000 Americans are hospitalized every year for an amputation [5]. In Canada, the data vary by province. In Quebec (7 million inhabitants), for example, every week more than ten individuals have a lower limb amputated following a vascular problem [4], with the main cause of amputation being diabetes [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13].
Improved mobility is often related to better quality of life, which is influenced by different factors (movements, energy, pain, sleep, social relationships and emotional reactions) [14]. Amputees suffer from many major health problems, which have a negative effect on their mobility, social participation and quality of life [15]. Therefore it is essential to specify which variables truly influence the mobility of these at-risk groups if we want to take appropriate action in the continuum of services. From this perspective, the purpose of this study was to validate a model to evaluate the mobility of seniors with a lower limb amputated for vascular reasons, and to show that it is possible to take a series of standardized steps in a residential context that cover all three dimensions of the conceptual model.
A review of the literature conducted by Rommers et al [3] on this patient group identified 18 studies measuring the ability of individuals (e.g. walking without assistance, with a cane, with a walker, using a wheelchair) and 17 studies measuring activities performed in a real context (e.g. walking outside the home, climbing stairs, walking in the neighbourhood, performing a number of household activities, driving a car). These authors noted that some of these studies had simultaneously used measurements of capabilities and activities as indicators of mobility, but were not exhaustive, i.e., did not cover all capabilities, activities and contextual factors. Surprisingly, in 2008, i.e., 11 years later, the same observations can be made: no study can be found on the longitudinal monitoring of mobility of vascular amputees that documents both capabilities and the performance of activities in the home and the community.
Twenty-four modulating factors that interfere with the underlying capabilities of mobility and the performance of activities overall were identified in the literature survey. Among these factors, certain studies highlighted the risks of co-morbidity found in vascular amputees: high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, obesity and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [1,5,8,15,17,22,24]. Smoking, drinking and inactivity are also some of the risk factors that negatively impact the precarious physical health of these individuals [8][9][10][11]17,21]. Moreover, the risk of amputation increases after age 60, and seems to be higher in men than women [6,8,22]. A longitudinal study also showed that a lack of social support, measured one month post-amputation, predicts symptoms of depression at one year and two years post-amputation [34]. This last study demonstrated the importance of using biopsychosocial intervention models to facilitate long-term adjustment, i.e., psychologically, socially and physically, especially for phantom pain [34].
Other studies identified several factors that positively influenced the resumption of certain significant activities for vascular amputees, such as social support [8,18,[26][27][28][29][30], satisfaction with the prosthesis [23,28,31] or assistive devices [32,33,35], proactive coping strategies [23,26,[28][29][30]36] and an optimistic personality [28,37]. It has also been acknowledged that the level of amputation below the knee, absence of pain, and possibility of maintaining social relationships support the underlying capabilities of mobility and performance of activities [23]. Lastly, environmental barriers (accessibility, attitude of other people, availability of resources, social support) interfere with the capabilities and activities of people with arm or leg amputations [38,39].
Given all the modulating factors identified, a model for evaluating mobility from a broader perspective was proposed by a team of researchers from various disciplines with a view to documenting the evolution of this population.

Model for Evaluating Mobility
Our team developed a model to evaluate mobility that takes into account two types of mobility that may change differently over time depending on different modulating factors experienced by people with a lowerlimb amputation of vascular origin. The definitions and concepts are illustrated in Figure 1. Our team consists of 15 researchers from various disciplines, all of whom are interested in different aspects of mobility (see Table 1). They attended ten brainstorming meetings [40] over a period of a year-and-a-half, carried out in prepared face-to-face meetings.
In this model, effective mobility means the actual participation of people in society, in a "real environment", and is a determining factor in their quality of life. This mobility is modulated by various factors related to health (e.g. active rehabilitation, community support), the person's condition (e.g. comorbidity) and the physical and human environment (e.g. social support, use of assistive devices). Potential mobility, which is mainly based on certain physical capabilities required to carry out a movement, indicates the potential of a person to move in a "laboratory or clinical environment". Interaction between the variables of these two types of mobility and modulators can vary greatly from individual to individual. In this study, it was hypothesized that as multiple modulators influence mobility, potential mobility would be a poor predictor of effective mobility. For example, a participant in a power wheelchair may have had both legs amputated, may be unable to to walk, and may have no balance or low upper trunk mobility (low potential mobility), but may perform home ADL by substitution or with assistive technology, may participate in community activities and may be able to visit friends with adaptation of the human and physical environments (high effective mobility). A better understanding of the model variables and their interactions will help identify meaningful and useful data to better direct individuals and their families to the most appropriate services for them.

Study objectives
The main objective was to characterize potential and effective mobility indicators as well as mobility modulators in a small sample of people with lower-limb amputations of vascular origin with different characteristics. The second objective of this pilot study was to verify the feasibility of measuring all variables in the model in a residential context.

Methods
An observational design with multiple measures taken at a single point in time was used as part of this feasibility study. Since the objectives of this pilot study were to test the model and assess feasibility, all outcome measures including questionnaires, physical tests, ADL and community activity outcomes were assessed once between between eight and 18 months following discharge from an acute care hospital. A delay of at least eight months between amputation and assessment was chosen to make sure that participants had time to adjust to their amputation and resume their activities, in order to get a representative picture of their effective mobility. The research protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the participating institution (Hôpital St-François D'Assise) and all participants provided their informed consent.

Recruitment of Participants
A heterogeneous sample (n = 10) of various ages, including ambulatory and non-ambulatory participants, using different assistive devices to move, was selected for the study (mean age: 71 years, 8 men and 2 women). There were three recruitment phases based on a nonprobabilistic sampling method. Of the 60 files selected by the archivist in an urban acute care hospital, 35 were selected based on the following eligibility criteria: be 55 years of age or older, have had an amputation of vascular origin of a lower limb above the ankle at least eight months following discharge from an acute care hospital and live within a 75-km radius of the recruitment site. People with severe cognitive or oral communication problems were excluded. Of these 35 files, only 22 were retained following a careful review of the medical files by a research assistant. All of them were contacted by phone to verify their eligibility. It was learned that some had died by the time of the study, while others no longer met the selection criteria. Finally, the eligibility of 18 people was confirmed and ten of them agreed to participate (acceptance rate of 55%).

Data Collection Procedure
Each participant was met at his/her home, and underwent an evaluation (three hours maximum) by a research assistant and a physiotherapist. All participants first filled in a consent form and then did the questionnaires and physical tests based on a standardized procedure. To minimize the effects of fatigue, tests involving intellectual and physical effort were alternated. The level of fatigue was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) for every four tests to ensure that participants were able to continue the evaluation. The left extremity of the VAS indicates no fatigue (0) and the right one, lots of fatigue (5 inches long). If the result exceeded 2.5 inches, a longer pause would be required. The tests or questions with a strong emotional dimension were left until the end.

Measuring Instruments
Ten instruments associated with the modulators of mobility were used to document the influence of 24 variables identified as factors influencing mobility [1,[8][9][10][11]17,23,34,36,38,39,[41][42][43][44][45][46][47]. Note that the term "negative" modulator refers to the idea that a personal or environmental factor, when it reaches a certain threshold, may limit or hinder mobility. The sociodemographic, clinical, physical and psychosocial characteristics of subjects were collected using a questionnaire developed for the study. Negative modulators included age over 60 [25], an amputation below the knee [19], fatigue felt when performing ADL [19], daily consumption of cigarettes and alcohol [48,49], living alone or in a care centre [50], a physical environment that is not very accessible [38,39], dissatisfaction with the technical aids used [47], presence of another physical problem and lack of services (rehabilitation, etc.) [39].
The Charlson Comorbidity Scale adapted to a geriatric clientele [51] was used to identify medical conditions via the medical record. A score of 2 or more was considered to be a negative modulator [51].
The Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL), developed by Cohen et al. [52] and adapted by McColl and Skinner [53], measuring three types of supportinstrumental (7 items), informational (6 items) and emotional (9 items) was used. It includes a four-level Likert scale, from 0 to 3, as well as a satisfaction scale for each type of support. The total score (average of three types of support) is the variable used. A score lower than 1 indicating low support is considered to be a modulatorinfluencing variable.
The MOS Social Support Survey [54] was used as a social support measurement. The French version of this tool has good psychometric qualities. It was validated in a rehabilitative context of patients with cardiovascular disease [55]. It includes 19 questions covering five types of support: tangible, emotional, affective, positive social interaction and informational. Scales of 0 to 5 ("never" to "always") showed an average score of 5 for each type of support. A score of < 75/95 was considered to be a negative modulator [56].
The Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ) [53] was used to measure the adaptability of the individual following difficult events, such as returning home following discharge from an acute care hospital. Its internal coherence is good. The abridged version with 21 items is divided into three different aspects, i.e.: 1) distancing and avoidance, 2) looking for social support, and 3) positive re-evaluation and problem solving. A Likert-type scale allows to measure the level of use of different adaptive strategies. Adaptation was considered to be a negative modulator when Aspect 1 received an average score of > 1.5/3 or when aspects 2 and 3 received average scores of < 1.5 for aspects 2 or 3 [53].
A Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 30 was considered to be a negative modulator [68,69]. Height (cm) and weight (kg) were taken from in the patient file.
The Jamar dynamometer [73] is valid and reliable [74] for measuring hand-grip strength, which is also considered to be an overall strength index for the individual. Based on the standards established according to age, strength (the average of two tests) in the 30th percentile or less was a negative modulator [74].
The Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test (10 g) was used to test protection sensitivity of the intact foot [75]. Four sites of application were evaluated (big toe, top of the first, third and fifth metacarpals), at a rate of two actual stimulations plus one factice per site. The rest-retest reliability is good [75][76][77]. As soon as a monofilament was not felt, regardless of the site of application, sensitivity was considered to be a negative modulator [78].
The Locomotor Capabilities Index (LCI) [86] is a measurement of the perception of a person's capability to perform activities with and without his/her prosthesis. The patient is asked whether he can do seven basic activities (from 'getting up from a chair' to 'going downstairs'), and seven advanced activities (from 'picking up an item from the ground when he is standing using a prosthesis' to 'walking while carrying an item'). Each task is rated on a scale (0 = no, 1 = yes with help, 2 = yes with surveillance, 3 = yes). Two sub-scores out of 21 were produced and a total score of 42. This potential mobility indicator "failed" if the score was equal to or less than 21/42, given that this threshold indicates frequent difficulties and the need for technical or human assistance [87].
The Timed Up and Go Test [88] (TUG) measures the time required to get up from a chair, walk three metres and then sit down again. The inter-rater and test-retest reliabilities are very high among ambulatory lower-limb amputees [30]. For individuals in wheelchairs, one task of the Wheelchair Skills Test [89,90] was used instead of the TUG, i.e., the transfer from a wheelchair to a flat surface (e.g. bed, chair), moving forward three metres in the wheelchair, turning, returning and once again going from the wheelchair to the to the initial surface. This indicator of potential mobility was considered to be "failed" if TUG > 14 seconds in both versions (prostheses and with assistive devices for walking) [88]. For the wheelchair-adapted TUG, since no standard cutpoint has been established or recommended in the literature, the threshold was set at > 34 seconds, based on the average (n = 6) obtained during the pilot project.
The Berg Balance Test (BBT) [91] is a measurement of seated and standing balance. It is made up of 14 subtests, rated from 0 to 4. A score lower than 45 is predictive of the risk of multiple falls.
The Amputee Mobility Predictor (AMP) [92] is a measurement that predicts the movement capabilities of lower-limb amputees. Its psychometric qualities were demonstrated in English and French [93]. The AMP evaluates 21 situations requiring seated or standing balance, during movement or when reaching for objects. Scales from 0 to 2 are used, except for the last item. A failing mark in this potential mobility indicator was when the score was under 25/47. Under this threshold, the subject is unstable, loses balance and cannot reach objects [92].
Three instruments associated with effective mobility cover the evaluation of activities in a real environment [3,33,94] and the level of physical activity able to be performed.
The Assessment of Life Habits (LIFE-H) [95,96], abridged version 3.1, was used as the main way of measuring outcomes of effective mobility. This tool was developed from the Handicap Production Process [97] and evaluates handicap situations that hinder social participation. It includes 200 items that could be grouped daily activities as well as social roles. The score varies from 0 (high level of handicap situations) to 9 (optimal level of social participation) for each item. The reliabilities were excellent for the overall score studied in a group of 84 seniors who had lost autonomy (CCI and confidence intervals at 95%: 0.95 (0.91 to 0.98) (test-retest) and 0.89 (0.80 to 0.93) (inter-rater) [98]. This effective mobility indicator was considered to have "failed" for daily activities and for social roles if their average score is < 7/9, given that, at this threshold, the person can only carry out a given activity with an assistive device, or layout modifications or requires human assistance [96].
The Life Space Assessment (LSA) [99] identifies the regular mobility patterns during the month preceding the evaluation. Five levels of movement are assessed, from inside the home to outside the city. Its score varies from 0 (complete restriction of one's mobile space) to 120 (no restriction of one's mobile space). Validity, reliability and sensitivity to change in the LSA were studied in ambulatory seniors and wheelchair users [99,100]. Metric properties in the French-Canadian version are good [101]. This effective mobility indicator was deemed to have "failed" if the mobility space scores were below the standard values for people aged 65 and more [78].
The Human Activity Profile (HAP) [102] measures the capability to perform different levels of physical activity. It is a questionnaire with 94 questions, is self-administered and validated for different clienteles [102][103][104]. It begins with questions on the activities that require low energy expenditure and ends with questions associated with high energy levels. Each item must be answered using one of the following three statements: I still do this activity, I have stop doing this activity and I have never done this activity. The maximum activity score (MAS), which corresponds to the last item that the subject had done was selected. This potential mobility indicator was considered low if the MAS was lower than the standard values for the age [105].

Data Analysis
Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables using SPSS software (version 15.0 for Windows Grad Pack) for the group of ten participants. The results were then grouped into three distinct themes: potential mobility, effective mobility and modulators for each participant (see Additional file 1). Given the limits or standards specified in the literature to judge whether a test has been failed, the scores deemed "negative ☹" and "positive" were transformed into dichotomous data (0: fail/negative, 1: success/positive). All items (0 or 1) were then added to quantify the potential mobility (number of successful items out of a maximum of four possible items assessed: LCI, TUG a or b, TUG c, AMP), effective mobility (number of successful items out of a maximum of four possible items assessed: LIFE-F personal care, LIFE-F social roles, LSA-F, HAP) and modulators (number of successful items out of a maximum of 24 possible items assessed). Then, all the total scores on these three indicators were weighted out of four (4), when they were not based on four items. This weighting of scores on the same scale allowed us to compare the two types of mobility and modulators, and also compare the patients. For example, if one patient did not do the TUG-c, his/her total potential mobility indicator based on 3 items (instead of four) would be weighted out of four, to make it possible to compare across the indicators and the other patients. If one patient only anwered 20 of the 24 possible modulator items, his/her total modulator score would also be weighted out of four. The scores weighted by category were interpreted as follows: low/negative (< 1), moderate (1 to < 3) and high/ positive (3 to 4). These outcomes were then graphed to show the profile of each participant.
Additional file 1 reveals that some of the negative modulators (particularly living alone, no prosthetic rehabilitation, pain, low social support, poor muscle strength) played an important role in "low effective mobility". Those negative modulators were not present for the three participants with high effective mobility.
Additional file 1 presents the individual scores on the various tests and weighted scores for the three categories of measurements. Subject #1 had missing data for three assessments (not evaluated/n.e.) because the research assistant had to stop after three hours (ethical committee's requirement). Also, there are missing data (-) for two assessments because the research team decided to replace them for the last five subjects by more adapted tests; this is the case for the ISEL (replaced by the MOS) and the Berg Balance Test (replaced by the AMP). Finally, there are missing data (not applicable/n.a.) for subjects who did not use a wheelchair or prosthesis; this is the case for the TUG, AMP and LCI. Figure 2 provides a graphic representation of the weighted scores for each of the three categories of measurements for the ten subjects. By grouping the subjects based on their weighted effective mobility score, four distinct groups were formed. First, two groups attained high effective mobility despite the fact that their potential mobility and their number of positive modulators are different: Group A (n = 1) presents high potential mobility as well as high positive modulators, whereas Group B (n = 2) displays potential mobility ranging from low to moderate, and moderate modulators. Next, Group C (n = 6) presented moderate effective mobility with low potential mobility and moderate modulators. Lastly, Group D (n = 1) demonstrated low effective mobility with low potential mobility and moderate modulators.

Discussion
This pilot study collected preliminary data on potential and effective mobility indicators as well as the modulators for these mobilities in people with a lower-limb amputation of vascular origin. It also assessed the feasibility of measuring, in a residential context, all variables in the proposed model for evaluating mobility. The data collected led to dividing the participants into four subgroups with different profiles of effective and potential mobility. Since we only had 10 subjects, we do not believe the number of participants under each profile is a valid representation of the number expected. However, it certainly indicates the substantial heterogeneity in mobility of the lower-limb vascular amputee population. It seems that our model was able to detect different patterns of level of mobility (described by others as capabilities [27][28][29][30][31][32]), participation in ADL at home [24,33] and community activities [24,25].
The seven participants who showed low/moderate effective mobility are different than the ones with high effective mobility, when considering the type of modulators reported but not the number of modulators. In fact, we observed that it was only in groups C and D (n = 7) showing moderate and low effective mobility that three or more of a specific subset of modulators were observed: living alone (n = 3), no prosthetic rehabilitation (n = 3), low social support (n = 2), no coping strategy to obtain social support (n = 4); general pain (n = 3), little strength in one of their arms (n = 5) and low sensitivity in the remaining limb (n = 3). As well, in group C and D, seven participants reported a low level of activity intensity. In previous studies, often focusing on one aspect, these modulators were also identified as risk factors for poor mobility [8,18,34,36,37,67,74,78,105]. Our results suggest that a given subject could present a complex situation where negative modulators interact with potential mobility in such a way that low effective mobility is observed. Clearly, this justifies taking a global approach using multidimensional assessments to better understand the complexity of factors underlying mobility in a larger group of amputees. These initial outcomes of the different mobility groups suggest many possible areas of research. In particular, it appears important to assess the impact of resources and services, which are potential mobility modulators, on the profile of effective and potential mobility of amputees following their stay in an acute care hospital. In order to better document the temporal trajectory of mobility in vascular amputees, a large-scale longitudinal study is needed. These data would be useful for making recommendations on the main mobility modulators and could guide decision-making for resources and services to make available to this population. A better knowledge of mobility modulators and their impact at different times of motor recovery would make it possible to identify areas to develop physical and psychosocial activities adapted to the needs of these individuals. Knowledge regarding the different levels and types of mobility in vascular amputees is fragmented compared to other populations that could present similar needs for care and services (e.g. people with post-stroke hemiparesis). A vision of the mobility profile for all vascular amputees is essential for implementing strategies to facilitate a high level of effective mobility in these people. Data from representative samples would be helpful for practitioners and community partners in order to determine: 1) which patients (profile) are most likely to benefit from intervention; 2) when is the best time to intervene in the first nine months following the amputation; and 3) what is the optimal target for intervention (e.g. potential mobility or a subset of modulators) to improve effective mobility. This study offers a conceptual framework to establish such a profile for mobility and modulators of this mobility.
This study also helped confirm the feasibility of the proposed protocol. First, it was possible to collect most of the data by studying participants in their homes. All tests and questionnaires were administered without too much participant fatigue and within the anticipated period (maximum of three hours, minimum of 2 hours 45 minutes). All participants scored < 2.5/5 on the fatigue visual analogue scale, all the time, and none required a longer break between the tests. This study also resulted in certain improvements, which are currently being implemented. Two tests were replaced after meeting Figure 2 Graphic representation of the scores of ten participants in the study in terms of potential and effective mobility and modulators. Participant categories: Group A (n = 1): high effective mobility, positive modulators and high potential mobility. Group B (n = 2): high effective mobility, moderate modulators and low/moderate potential mobility. Group C (n = 6): moderate effective mobility, moderate modulators and low/moderate potential mobility. Group D (n = 1): low effective mobility, moderate modulators and low potential mobility.
with half the participants. The Interpersonal Support Evaluation List [52] was too difficult to administer, and was therefore replaced by the MOS Social Support Survey [54]. The Berg Balance Test [83] was replaced by the Amputee Mobility Predictor [92] in order to be able to better document balance when sitting in a wheelchair. Further details on Ways of Coping were also broughtby the researchers to facilitate its administration, such as asking more directly "how returning home was a potentially stressful event". A rating (0 to 5) on overall satisfaction with all assistive devices used for movement was also added. In addition, future studies should involve recording the subjects' weight at home, instead of taking it from the file, in order to have the most current weight of the subject. It will then be possible to use anthropomorphic tables to add the weight of the missing part to the subject's weight. This is necessary in order to use the BMI standard tables developed for the entire body. For "potential mobility", we should note that a measurement instrument had to be developed (wheelchair version of the TUG). Although the results are promising, further information on the procedure for this modified version of the TUG is necessary. For example, it will have to be specified on which side to make the transfer (ipsilateral or contralateral to the amputation), and which parts of the wheelchair to take into account when crossing the finish line. The possibility of breaking down the final score (total time) into the time spent on certain activities must be considered, including transfer time and movement time. The ICL questionnaire was also adapted to people without prostheses in order to take into account mobility using other assistive devices. Investigations will be required to validate and establish standards for the adaptations of the known instruments.

Conclusions
The proposed model for evaluating mobility with its three dimensions (potential and effective mobility and their modulators) seems promising for characterizing mobility of lower-limb amputees. Preliminary data revealed that discrepancies might exist between potential mobility and effective mobility for a given individual, supporting the need to assess both types of mobility and the modulators. This pilot study provided the basis for a large-scale longitudinal assessment of mobility aiming to characterize profiles of mobility in vascular amputees over time. Ideally, in a longitudinal context, data should be collected sooner after the amputation and at different times to determine the evolution of the mobility indicators. Then, it would be possible to propose recommendations regarding their resource and service needs to optimize their mobility and quality of social participation.

Additional material
Additional file 1: Results of the Variables for Modulators, Potential Mobility and Effective Mobility.