Toward Cyborg: Exploring Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of a Multi-Degree-of-Freedom Myoelectric Prosthetic Hand

Area of Science:

• Robotics and Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Advancements in robotics and sensors enable sophisticated myoelectric prosthetic hands (MPHs) with multiple degrees of freedom.
• Controlling highly functional MPHs requires advanced control theories, with machine learning for electromyogram (EMG) pattern recognition showing promise.
• Practical application and thorough examination of 5-finger-driven MPHs for real users remain limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a 5-finger myoelectric prosthetic hand (MPH) with pattern recognition capabilities.
• To explore the range of applications, attributes, and challenges of such advanced MPHs through long-term clinical trials.
• To assess the impact of MPH use on task performance and user experience in both daily life and workplace settings.

Main Methods:

• Development of a 5-finger myoelectric prosthetic hand (MPH) integrated with pattern recognition algorithms.
• Conducting a long-term clinical trial involving real users.
• Utilizing task-based assessments and subjective evaluations via questionnaires to gather data.

Main Results:

• Increased variety of motions in the MPH led to an expanded range of achievable tasks.
• Enhanced adaptability through greater motion variety was accompanied by a decrease in control reliability.
• Questionnaire findings suggested that MPH performance improvements may be more impactful in reducing workplace disability than enhancing daily living activities.

Conclusions:

• Multi-degree-of-freedom MPHs with pattern recognition offer expanded functional capabilities but face challenges in control reliability.
• The clinical utility of advanced MPHs may differ significantly between workplace and daily life applications.
• Further research is needed to optimize control strategies and address the constraints for widespread adoption of sophisticated MPHs.