Listening to children with lower limb loss: rationale, design, and protocol for delivery of a novel globally applicable research toolkit - prosthetic user needs, quality of life, pain, and physical function
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Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Introduction Rehabilitation after childhood lower limb loss is complex and dependent on multiple stakeholders and environmental factors. While research with adults underscores the importance of involving prosthetic limb users and caregivers in discussions to drive innovation, children are often excluded or not effectively engaged. This protocol lays out the development and implementation protocol for an internationally applicable research toolkit which has been designed and evaluated around the essential presence of the child. Research domains span their unique prosthetic needs, quality of life, pain, and mobility. Methods and analysis Cohorts of children in contrasting environments were identified (Cambodia, Gaza Strip, and the UK) to provide a comprehensive global understanding of the child with lower limb loss. A literature review revealed a lack of appropriate tools for identifying paediatric prosthetic user requirements leading to the development of novel interview guides for each key stakeholder: child, caregiver, and prosthetist. The child’s guide centred around enjoyment and engagement using card games and activities. A panel of experts in paediatric limb loss and mental health rigorously reviewed the guides. Guides were integrated with existing validated measures for quality of life, pain, and mobility to form a comprehensive toolkit. The toolkit was successfully piloted with 5 children, their families, and 2 prosthetists. This protocol lays out the toolkit rationale and implementation plan (Jan 2023 to Dec 2025). This work offers the opportunity for this cohort to enjoyably engage with research that seeks to radically improve prospects for all children living with limb loss. The outlined best practices ensure ethical considerations when working with vulnerable cohorts. Ethics and dissemination This study is approved to cover implementation at all geographical locations as well as the researcher institutions. Results will be disseminated through national and international conferences, as well as through manuscripts in leading peer-reviewed journals.
Date Issued
2024-10-31
Date Acceptance
2024-09-03
ISSN
1932-6203
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Journal / Book Title
PLoS One
Volume
19
Issue
10
Copyright Statement
© 2024 Edgar et al. This is an open
access article distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original
author and source are credited
access article distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original
author and source are credited
Identifier
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0310848
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
e0310848
Date Publish Online
2024-10-31