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Flexible and static wrist units in upper limb prosthesis users: functionality scores, user satisfaction and
M Deijs1, R M Bongers2, N D M Ringeling-van Leusen3
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001 (CB41), 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands. deijs.marieke@gmail.com.
Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation
|March 17, 2016
Summary
Prosthetic wrist movement offers user satisfaction benefits, though objective performance improvements are difficult to measure. Prescribing flexible prosthetic wrists should consider individual user needs and skills.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Engineering
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Human Factors Engineering
Background:
- Limited research exists on user experiences with flexible prosthetic wrists.
- Commercially available prosthetic hands often include wrist flexion/extension capabilities.
- Prosthetic wrist functionality is explored for activities of daily living and preventing overuse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the relevance of prosthetic wrist movement for daily activities.
- To assess user satisfaction and compensatory movements with flexible prosthetic wrists.
- To compare flexible and static prosthetic wrist conditions in transradial amputees.
Main Methods:
- Eight transradial amputees participated in the study.
- Two types of prosthetic wrists (Flex-wrist and Multi-flex) were tested.
- Participants used wrists in both flexible and static conditions for two weeks.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in activity performance or satisfaction were found between flexible and static wrists.
- Participant satisfaction showed a tendency towards flexible wrists.
- Significant inter-individual variation in outcomes was observed.
- No clear differences in compensatory movements (shoulder joint angles) were detected.
Conclusions:
- Objective benefits of flexible prosthetic wrists are challenging to quantify.
- Users generally report higher satisfaction with flexible prosthetic wrists.
- Personalized prescription of prosthetic wrists, considering user needs and skills, is recommended.
