Perceptions of prosthetic attention among lower limb prosthesis users: a focus group study

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Human Factors Engineering

Background:

• Lower limb prostheses require increased cognitive effort due to absent motor and sensory feedback.
• Understanding users' attentional demands is key to improving prosthetic design and rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how individuals using lower limb prostheses perceive the attention they pay to their devices in daily life.
• To identify the factors influencing attentional demands for prosthesis users.

Main Methods:

• Conducted virtual focus groups with individuals using lower limb prostheses.
• Utilized semi-structured interviews, followed by thematic analysis of transcribed data.
• Involved 30 participants across five focus groups.

Main Results:

• Five key themes emerged regarding prosthetic attention: necessity, socket fit/feel, fall prevention, learning new tasks, and trust in the device.
• Users described attention as a constant requirement, influenced by factors like device fit, safety concerns, and the learning curve.
• The level of attention paid to the prosthesis fluctuates based on daily activities and over time.

Conclusions:

• Prosthetic attention is a universal experience for lower limb prosthesis users, encompassing both conscious and subconscious awareness.
• The cognitive load associated with prosthetic use is dynamic and influenced by user experience and device reliability.
• Quantifying prosthetic attention could guide the development of assistive technologies aimed at reducing cognitive burden.