Table 1 Summary of transfemoral prosthesis (TFP) user questionnaire

Section I. Retrospective evaluation—user characteristics and experience with current prosthesis

 Participant description

Clinical and demographic characteristics, and general description of the amputation and causes of the limb loss

Demographic Characteristics: Age, gender, region of residence, income, level of education obtained

Amputation & Clinical Characteristics: year, anatomical level, side, etiology (traumatic vs. illness), condition of intact limb, time from amputation to first prosthesis outfitting

Frequency of prosthesis use

8 multiple-choice;

4 free response

 Current prosthesis description

Design features & details of the current prosthesis, including the socket, knee and foot

Prosthetic knee description: model, type (electronic vs. modular vs. skeletal)

Prosthetic foot description (model, type)

Socket support system (ischial seat vs. no ischial seat)

Socket structure (rigid vs. semi-flexible)

Use of socket liner (Y/N)

6 free response

 Selection and satisfaction with current prosthesis

Subjective experience with the current prosthesis

Patient involvement in prosthesis selection

Satisfaction with Prosthesis Function in ADL (Sat-Fn; 12 items)—gait on even and uneven ground, stairs (up, down), inclines (up, down; steep, gradual), sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit transitions, getting in & out of car, negotiating tight spaces

Satisfaction with Usage & Maintenance Characteristics (6 items)—durability, reliability, cleanability, water resistance, battery life, charging time

Satisfaction w. Comfort (3 items)—donning & doffing procedure, weight, noisiness

Satisfaction w. Aesthetic Aspects (2 items)—general appearance, dimensions relative to body

Likert scale (1–6)

1 = low involvement/ satisfaction

6 = high involvement/ satisfaction

 Prosthesis usage in daily life

Perceived autonomy in various ADL, as well as characterization of personal activities and prosthesis usage at home, at work, and during free time

Autonomy in ADL: stair ascent, stair descent (both step-over-step), gait on incline & decline (combined), sit-stand transitions (both directions, combined), bathing, dressing, housework, driving a car, managing & observing schedules, managing free time, attending public places

Current activity at home /work/free time—free response

Desired activity at home/work/free time—free response

Time of prosthesis use at home/work/free time (Likert 1–6)

11 Likert scale (1–5):

1 = no autonomy (fully dependent)

5 = complete autonomy

7 multiple-choice

6 free response

 Risk of falls

Incidence of falls in the last year and the principal causes of instability

Incidence of Falls: No. of falls in past year, main cause of fall

Perceived Causes of Instability: stair ascent; stair descent; gait on incline (gradual; steep), gait on decline (gradual; steep), sit-to-stand; stand-to-sit; “other (describe)”

2 free response

11 binary choice

 Pain

Phantom limb pain

Joint pain in residual limb

Pain frequency (never; a few days a month; a few days a week; daily; always)

Pain intensity (mild; moderate; severe; very severe; intolerable)

4 multiple choice

 Socket

Skin problems; socket wear-and-tear and modifications needed over time

Skin problems

Socket modifications (frequency, purpose)

2 free response

 Subjective acceptance of prosthesis

Patient descriptions of their feelings about their prostheses

“What is the prosthesis for you?”

1 free response

Section II. Prospective evaluation—user priorities for an ideal prosthesis

 General characteristics of the ideal prosthesis

Priority of characteristics for an ideal transfemoral prosthesis

Comfort; Reliability; Cost; Weight; Battery life; Water resistance; Aesthetic aspects; Noisiness; Cleanability; Transportability

10-item rank-order scale

 Functional characteristics of the ideal prosthesis

Priority of mobility-related functionality for an ideal transfemoral prosthesis

Stability, Functionality re: lifestyle, Adaptability to walking speed, Working activity functionality, Walking on uneven ground, Stair ascending, Functioning speed, Stair descending, Ramp walking, Running

10-item rank-order scale

 Active assistance the prosthesis

“In which functions would you most prefer active assistance from your prosthesis?”

Moments of instability/balance loss; Stair ascent; Stair descent; Natural speed walking; fast walking; slow walking; Ramp ascent; Ramp descent; Standing up and sitting down

10-item rank-order scale

 Adaptive socket

Preferred features & charact-eristics of the ideal socket

Breathable materials; Shape/volume adaptability; Variable rigidity; Cooling system; Topical drug release

5-item rank-order scale