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A Structured Rehabilitation Protocol for Improved Multifunctional Prosthetic Control: A Case Study
Published on: November 6, 2015
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Training prosthesis users to switch between modes of a multi-articulating prosthetic hand.
A Heerschop1, C K van der Sluis2, R M Bongers1
1Department of Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Disability and Rehabilitation
|December 21, 2022
Summary
Digital training methods for myoelectric prosthetic hands are feasible but require more than seven sessions for reliable mode switching. Serious games show promise for early-stage prosthetic control training.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Engineering
- Prosthetics
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Switching between modes in myoelectric prosthetic hands is challenging.
- Digital training offers potential solutions for individuals with upper limb defects (ULD).
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate the feasibility of digital training methods for ULD individuals.
- Compare myosignal differences between ULD and non-impaired individuals.
- Assess skill transfer to prosthesis use.
Main Methods:
- A 9-day study with seven 45-minute training sessions.
- Two groups trained using a serious game or digital myosignal display.
- Pre- and post-tests included the Clothespin Relocation Test and Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure.
- System Usability Scale (SUS) assessed feasibility.
Main Results:
- Both digital training methods were feasible based on SUS scores.
- Most participants showed some skill transfer to prosthesis use.
- Myosignals in ULD individuals exhibited greater variability than in non-impaired individuals.
- Three participants demonstrated successful skill transfer.
Conclusions:
- While feasible, seven training sessions are insufficient for reliable mode switching in myoelectric prostheses.
- Serious games are viable tools for initial prosthetic control training.
- Task specificity and attentional focus are crucial for skill transfer in rehabilitation.
