Effects of including core strengthening exercise as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation programmes on people with lower-limb amputation: a pilot study

Background/aims Exercise can be a useful rehabilitation approach for people with lower-limb amputation. However, there is a lack of research in this regard. The aim of this study was to analyse functional mobility, walking speed, range of motion and quality of life changes experienced by people with lower-limb amputation after taking part in a comprehensive exercise programme that included core strengthening exercises. Methods This was a pilot study including six individuals who carried out a comprehensive exercise programme, which was performed once a week for 5 months. During the first 2 weeks, the participants attended 1-hour sessions that focused on the execution of diaphragmatic breathing and body scheme exercises. From the fourth week until the end of the intervention, the sessions were much longer, and included a warm-up phase, two circuit training workouts for core strength and balance, and a final stretching routine. Results Significant improvements were found in the participants' functional mobility (P=0.007) and walking speed (P=0.001). The exercise intervention did not have a significant impact on the participants' range of motion and quality of life. Conclusions In a group of people with lower-limb amputation, the performance of a comprehensive exercise programme that included core strengthening, was found to be beneficial for functional mobility and walking speed, although no significant effect was observed for range of motion and quality of life measures.