Leisure participation and leisure constraints of individuals with lower-limb amputations in SA

Abstract

This study aimed to determine leisure participation and constraints experienced by individuals with lower limb amputation (LLA) in South Africa. A one-time, crosssectional quantitative approach was used, incorporating the Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scale–Revised (TAPES-R questionnaire) and the Constraints to Participation Questionnaire. These instruments were integrated into an electronic survey hosted on Google Forms. Fifty participants, with an average of 10 years since their amputation, were included in the study, with 62% having undergone below-knee LLA. Data were analysed using SPSS (version 27). Participants enjoyed a variety of recreational programme areas/activities: sport (52%), aquatics (14%), going to church (14%), adventure (8%) and social recreation (2%), and 10% did not report any recreational activity participation. The frequency of activity participation was high: 56% of participants reported engagement in recreational activities more than once a week or even daily, 16% participated moderately, 20% reported low participation and 8% gave no response. The Constraints to Participation Questionnaire showed overall low values for intrapersonal (1.89±0.38) and interpersonal (1.88±0.22) constraints and slightly higher values for structural constraints (2.22±0.46). Results indicated that individuals with LLA continued to engage in leisure activities by negotiating leisure constraints.