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Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Characterization of the Sense of Agency over the Actions of Neural-machine Interface-operated Prostheses
Published on: January 7, 2019
The social meanings of prosthesis use
1Department of Psychology, Manchester University, UK. craig.murray-2@manchester.ac.uk
Abstract:
The present research explores the social meanings surrounding the use of artificial limbs. Semi-structured email and face-to-face interviews were conducted with 35 prosthesis users, along with analysis of the posts made on an email discussion group for prosthesis users. This data was subject to an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. It is concluded that prosthesis use plays a social role in the lives of persons with limb loss/absence. The ability to conceal such use enabled participants to ward off social stigmatisation that in turn enabled their social integration and the reduction of emotional problems surrounding such disability.
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