Characterizing Limits of Performance Imposed by Upper-Limb Prostheses
Abstract
One-quarter of people with upper limb loss choose not to use a prosthesis, and those who use a prosthesis frequently report being unsatisfied with their device. While it is clear that current prostheses are not meeting the needs of the patients, it is unclear where to specifically focus attention on improvement due to a shortage of quantifiable data on the movement characteristics of upper limb prosthesis users. This study will quantify performance in individuals using body-powered and myoelectric prostheses and individuals without upper limb loss. Aim 1 will directly compare people s ability to determine stiffness of objects without vision and to match the position of their hand to a target using body powered and myoelectric prostheses. Aim 2 will compare movement accuracy during two constrained reaching tasks -- one with a time goal and one with a spatial goal. Aim 3 will quantify the quality and coordination of movements made during activities of daily living. Here, quality is measured as the smoothness of the movement, and coordination between the limbs. The proposed studies will enhance understanding of upper limb prosthetic use, and help identify the limitations of current technology. The results of these studies can be used to establish metrics to measure success with different devices or the efficacy of different therapeutic interventions. A better understanding of the limitations of current technology will improve our understanding of why prosthesis users are more satisfied with certain prostheses and will help guide the design of future devices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 2017
- Source ID
- W81XWH1610648
Entities
People
- Deanna H. Gates
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Michigan