Improving how we measure grief after limb amputation to enhance health outcomes.
Official title: Optimizing health outcomes by improving measurement of grief after amputation with a health equity approach
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11032395 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how people feel emotionally after losing a limb and aims to create better ways to understand and support those feelings, so that healthcare providers can help patients heal both physically and emotionally.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $125,679 |
| NIH project number | 1K01HD116977-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11032395 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 21 and older who have undergone limb amputation and are experiencing grief related to their loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced limb amputation or who are not dealing with grief related to such a loss may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the emotional health and grief experienced by individuals after limb amputation. It aims to develop new ways to measure these feelings, ensuring that the assessments reflect what is most important to patients. By collecting both qualitative and quantitative data, the research will create tools that can help healthcare providers better support patients during their recovery. The ultimate goal is to improve health outcomes by addressing the emotional aspects of recovery in a way that promotes health equity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better emotional support and health outcomes for patients recovering from limb amputation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in developing outcome measures for emotional health in rehabilitation settings, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful impact.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdonald, Cody L — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Mcdonald, Cody L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Helping families coping with overdose bereavement and substance use support
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Surgical strategies to prevent and reduce amputation pain
This project tests how two nerve-sparing techniques can prevent or lessen phantom and residual limb pain in people who have or will have amputations, especially veterans.
-
Improving how we measure physical function for people using artificial arms
Aimed at making it easier and more accurate to track how well people with upper limb prostheses move and function in daily life.
-
AMPDECIDE: Helping Veterans choose amputation level with personalized outcome information
A doctor helps a veteran facing leg amputation learn personalized risks and likely outcomes for different amputation levels to guide their care choices.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.