Journal of Semnan University of Medical Sciences
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Outline
Reintegration to Normal Living Index in Patients with Upper Extremity Amputation: Development and Psychometric Testing of a Questionnaire
Authors
Abstract
Background: Upper limb amputation leads to physical and mental disabilities and widespread economic and social consequences. Gaining knowledge about reintegration to life can be a way to plan, follow up on the treatment process, and modify therapeutic interventions. Literature review, reveal no specific tool to evaluate reintegration into life in this patientsin Iran.
Objectives: This study aimed to develop and psychometrically evaluate reintegration to life instrument in patients undergoing upper limb amputation.
Methods: Study was conducted using a methodological approach in three main phases: conceptualization, item generation, instrument validity study, field testing. Conceptualization was conducted in inductive and deductive approaches through content analysis, and integrated review. In the second phase, questionnaire was evaluated for face and content validity. Then, 5 times the number of items (150 people) were sampled (using the available method), and exploratory factor analysis was performed for construct validity, sampling adequacy, and item dimensioning. Cronbach's alpha was calculated forreliability of the instrument.
Results: In the first phase, the item pool was formed with 30 items. Exploratory factor analysis was performed using Principal Components with Varimax rotation. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) was calculated 0.72, and Bartlett's test was calculated 0.000, which indicates the adequacy of sampling, presentation acceptable model, and item dimensioning. The final questionnaire was formed with 20 items and 3 main dimensions; "reintegration to social life", "supportive factors", and "reintegration to daily life". The reliability of instrument was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha (all dimensions above 0.7, and entire instrument, 0.81).
Conclusion: Based on thisinstrument, it is possible to examine the reintegration into life in different social dimensions, daily and supportive activities based on culture, and identify areas requiring intervention. In this way, valuable information is provided to clinical managers, and appropriate planning can be made in psychological counseling, home services, follow-up, facilitation of physiotherapy, and return to work area.
Highlights
References
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Copyright
© 2025, Author(s). This open-access article is available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which allows for unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided that the original work is properly cited.
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