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A Structured Rehabilitation Protocol for Improved Multifunctional Prosthetic Control: A Case Study
Published on: November 6, 2015
Adaptive force control in grasping as a function of level of developmental disability
R L Sprague1, K M Deutsch, K M Newell
1Department of Kinesiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA.
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research : JIDR
|July 25, 2009
Summary
Individuals with profound developmental disability showed deficits in grasping tasks, particularly with low-mass objects. This study highlights adaptive grasping control challenges related to disability levels.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Investigated grasping adaptation to grip mode and object mass.
- Examined this adaptation across different levels of developmental disability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To understand how developmental disability level affects grasping adaptation.
- To identify specific challenges in prehensile tasks for individuals with varying cognitive impairments.
Main Methods:
- Participants grasped objects with varying grip widths and masses.
- Grip forces were measured using instrumented objects.
Main Results:
- Fewer participants with profound disability completed tasks compared to moderate/severe groups.
- All completers demonstrated adaptive force control, but force variability increased with disability level and decreased object mass.
- Profound disability group showed primary deficit in inhibiting force output at very-low-force conditions.
Conclusions:
- Developmental disability level significantly impacts grasping adaptation.
- Inhibition of force output is a key challenge for individuals with profound developmental disability in grasping tasks.
- Findings underscore the need for tailored interventions addressing motor control deficits in developmental disabilities.

