Enhanced Autodiagnostic Adaptive Trainer for Myoelectric Prosthesis Users (eADAPT-MP)
Abstract
Amputation of upper limbs, including hands and arms, is extremely devastating. In addition to the physical movements necessary for professional and social activity, the role of the hand and arm in human life is critical for gestures, communication, and sensation. Myoelectric prostheses provide the best functional equivalent of the missing limb and utilize muscle activity from the residual limb to drive prosthetic hand movement. However, intensive training is required to control the myoelectric prosthesis, with the result that many amputees abandon their prosthesis. Difficult training has been implicated as the primary cause for device abandonment. Current training tools are expensive, restricted to use in the caregiver’s office, do not embrace all aspects of device use, and do not provide feedback to the provider or amputee. Scientific studies testing myoelectric prosthesis training tools are not compelling as they either use non-amputees for testing or test in a single amputee. Along with amputee care providers, we have recently developed the ADAPT-MP (Auto-Diagnostic Adaptive Precision Trainer for Myoelectric Prosthesis Users) system, which uses a wireless muscle sensing band, a series of mobile games, and a web-based provider portal to improve myoelectric training. The ADAPT-MP system is inexpensive, mobile, encompasses all aspects of device use, and provides immediate training progress feedback to the user and provider. In the proposed effort, we plan use Food and Drug Administratin (FDA) recommendations to test the ADAPT-MP system for patient interaction, usability, and durability, expand the software based on testing, and perform a controlled trial using recent upper limb amputees to compare how using the enhanced ADAPT-MP system alters amputee device use, quality of life, and ability to return to work/duty. There are an estimated 2,000 upper limb amputations above the wrist per year in the United States. More than 1,650 American Service members have lost a limb due to traumatic injury in combat during the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, 20% of which affected upper limbs including arms/hands. Approximately 50% of upper limb amputees opt for myoelectric prostheses, with at least one-third (but likely much higher) of myoelectric prosthesis users eventually abandoning their devices due to difficult training. Upper limb amputees with residual limbs that are candidates for myoelectric prostheses will benefit from this research and development effort by having access to validated, mobile tools that allow them to successfully transition from an amputation to control of a myoelectric prosthesis, with associated improvements to quality of life and the ability to return to work. Reintegration into work and social opportunities is also expected to improve the well- being of Veterans and their family members. Since the ADAPT-MP system uses a wearable device and mobile applications, similar to current generation fitness tracking technology, it presents low risk to the user. The proposed effort is expected to last 3 years and is encompassed by three specific objectives: (1) The ADAPT-MP system will undergo rigorous testing for patient interaction, usability, and durability (3 months). (2) System and software will be redesigned and expanded based on Objective 1, resulting in the enhanced ADAPT-MP system (9 months). (3) A randomized clinical trial will be performed to determine the utility of mobile pre-prosthetic training on user compliance as a primary outcome metric 1, 6, and 12 months following device arrival. Secondary outcome metrics will include skill of prosthesis use, quality of life, and work/social reintegration (24 months).
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 29, 2018
- Source ID
- W81XWH1710687
Entities
People
- Brent Winslow
Organizations
- Design Interactive (United States)
- United States Army