Exploring the psychosocial needs of persons with lower extremity amputation and feasibility of internet cognitive behavioural therapy: a qualitative study

Abstract

Purpose

Following major lower extremity amputation (LEA), patients experience significant emotional distress and are at risk for anxiety and depression. There is a lack of mental health supports for this population, and internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) may be a useful resource to meet this need. The purpose of this study was to use a qualitative approach to explore the mental health needs of LEA patients and to gauge their attitudes of the use of iCBT to help them cope with their amputation.

Methods

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with inpatients and outpatients with LEA recruited from a major urban rehabilitation hospital. Data were analysed using inductive codebook thematic analysis (TA).

Results

Ten interviews were completed with individuals with LEA. The main themes identified were: (1) Fixating on the past; (2) Worry about the future; (3) Unmet mental health needs; (4) Barriers to Mental Health Support; (5) Importance of peer support; and (6) Tailoring iCBT.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight that patients with LEA are open to learning more about iCBT to meet their mental health needs. Key iCBT implementation considerations include taking into account issues of stigma associated with mental health, timing of delivery, levels of digital literacy, online security, and interactive content.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Following lower extremity amputation (LEA), people experience significant emotional distress and are at risk for the development of anxiety and/or depression.

• Patients with LEA are receptive to an online mental health resource (i.e., internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy [iCBT]) but it needs to be tailored to meet the various mental health needs and digital literacy of the LEA population.

• The use of an implementation science approach can help identify factors related to the development and potential uptake of an iCBT for patients with LEA.

Keywords:

• Amputation
• mental health
• internet
• cognitive behavioural therapy
• qualitative

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This project was funded by the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Alternative Funding Plan (AFP) Innovation Fund and the University of Toronto Blair Foundation Vascular Surgery Innovation Fund.