Experiences of receiving formal psychological support following lower limb amputation: a qualitative study

This study sought to explore the experiences of receiving formal psychological support following non-vascular-related lower limb amputation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five individuals (3 males, 2 females, aged 38–56) with lower limb loss. Two had unilateral above knee amputations, one a unilateral below knee amputation, one a unilateral through-knee amputation, and one had bilateral above knee amputations. Four had trauma-related amputations, one had an amputation due to cancer. All had received formal psychological support related to their amputation. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used for the analysis of the data. Four themes were developed: (1) The need for psychological intervention—denial and acceptance; (2) “Safe space”—being valued, heard, and validated; (3) The importance of focus, transparency, and specialist knowledge; and (4) The most helpful techniques and approaches. Findings highlighted aspects of psychological support that were helpful and unhelpful. The findings provide insights into how psychological support for people with lower limb amputation can be delivered or improved. These include: the importance of psychological support throughout rehabilitation; the benefit of transparency and collaborative goal setting in sessions; and participants’ preference that those providing formal psychological support have limb loss specific knowledge. Psychological support for lower limb amputation needs to be provided throughout the rehabilitation process.Transparency regarding the stages of therapy, models used, and decisions made as well as collaborative goal setting need to be incorporated in psychological sessions.Psychologists and other mental health professionals offering support to individuals with lower limb amputation need to have specialist knowledge on limb loss and its psychological entailments. Psychological support for lower limb amputation needs to be provided throughout the rehabilitation process. Transparency regarding the stages of therapy, models used, and decisions made as well as collaborative goal setting need to be incorporated in psychological sessions. Psychologists and other mental health professionals offering support to individuals with lower limb amputation need to have specialist knowledge on limb loss and its psychological entailments.