Functional Ability

Independent completion of ADLs such as toileting and personal care was strongly associated with satisfaction and reduced feelings of being a burden. Most participants had no ADL or IADL difficulty. ADL disability was assessed across six basic self-care functions. Difficulty in at least one ADL item indicated ADL disability. ADL disability may be harder to offset than IADL disability because it affects basic independence. Prosthesis users in LMICs developed creative adaptive strategies to perform daily activities in contexts lacking accessible infrastructure. ADL disability increased the likelihood of low life satisfaction in the main model. Inability to perform ADLs was directly linked to negative mental health outcomes, family stress, and financial hardship.