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Motor Control and Sensory Feedback Enhance Prosthesis Embodiment and Reduce Phantom Pain After Long-Term Hand
David M Page1, Jacob A George1, David T Kluger1
1Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|October 16, 2018
Summary
This study shows that both motor control and sensory feedback from a prosthetic hand significantly improve prosthesis embodiment and reduce phantom limb pain in a transradial amputee. Even without sensory feedback, motor control alone enhanced embodiment and pain reduction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Phantom limb pain is a common challenge for amputees.
- Prosthetic limb control and sensory feedback are crucial for restoring function and reducing phantom pain.
- Long-term studies on the combined effects of motor control and sensory feedback are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify prosthesis embodiment and phantom pain reduction in a transradial amputee.
- To evaluate the impact of motor control and sensory feedback from a prosthetic hand.
- To systematically report long-term outcomes over 14 months.
Main Methods:
- Implanted microelectrode arrays in residual arm nerves for sensory feedback and motor control.
- Used intramuscular electromyography for muscle activity recording.
- Assessed prosthesis embodiment using objective (proprioceptive drift) and subjective (surveys) measures.
- Quantified phantom pain reduction through experimental sessions.
Main Results:
- Significant prosthesis embodiment was observed with open-loop motor control, open-loop sensory feedback, and closed-loop control.
- Statistically significant phantom pain reduction occurred with open-loop nerve microstimulation, open-loop motor control, and closed-loop control.
- Closed-loop control did not offer additional benefits over open-loop conditions for pain reduction or embodiment.
Conclusions:
- Both motor control and sensory feedback from prosthetic hands can significantly enhance embodiment and reduce phantom limb pain.
- Open-loop systems (motor or sensory alone) can be effective, with no added benefit from closed-loop integration in this case.
- This long-term study provides valuable insights into prosthetic use for amputees, highlighting the efficacy of sensory and motor integration.
Keywords:
hand ownershipneural prostheticsneuroprosthesesphantom painprosthesis embodimentprosthesis ownershipsensory feedbackMore Related Videos
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