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Hand prostheses with somatosensory feedback: functional and clinical benefits
Solaiman Shokur1, Michela Bassolino2, Norbert Kang3
1The BioRobotics Institute, Health Interdisciplinary Center and Department of Excellence in Robotics and AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy; MINE Lab, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; MySpace Lab, Department of Clinical Neurosciences-University Hospital of Lausanne, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Translational Neural Engineering Lab, NeuroX Institute, EPFL, Geneva, Switzerland.
Restoring hand sensations with neuroprosthetics improves object use and reduces phantom pain. Multimodal feedback offers a more natural experience, enhancing prosthetic users' sense of self and social connection.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Hand loss significantly impacts motor function, self-perception, and the sense of touch.
- Neuroprosthetic advancements enable sensory restoration (tactile, proprioceptive, thermal) via neural interfaces.
- Current prosthetic care focuses on mechanical replacement, often neglecting sensory feedback.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of somatosensory neuroprostheses for restoring hand function and sensation.
- To investigate the benefits of multimodal sensory feedback in prosthetic users.
- To address the challenges hindering clinical translation of advanced neuroprosthetics.
Main Methods:
- Development of somatosensory neuroprostheses interfacing with peripheral nerves, spinal cord, or skin.
- Integration of tactile, proprioceptive, and thermal sensory feedback channels.
- Evaluation of motor learning, phantom limb pain reduction, and embodiment in prosthetic users.
Main Results:
- Neuroprostheses improve object manipulation and motor learning post-amputation.
- Restored sensory feedback reduces phantom limb pain and enhances embodiment.
- Multimodal feedback (e.g., touch and temperature) creates a more natural and resonant user experience.
Conclusions:
- Multimodal sensory feedback in neuroprosthetics can restore the richness of the human hand.
- This technology moves prosthetic care beyond mechanical replacement towards restoring self and connection.
- Accessible, cost-effective, user-centered solutions validated through clinical trials are crucial for widespread adoption.
