Assessing the Effect of DESC-feedback on Cognitive Load, Gaze Behaviour and Motor Performance during Manipulation...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Upper limb amputation leads to functional limitations due to poor myoelectric prosthesis control and lack of sensory feedback.
• This necessitates increased cognitive load and visual reliance for daily tasks, contributing to user frustration and device abandonment.
• Intuitive sensory feedback is crucial for improving prosthesis use without adding cognitive burden.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the cognitive load of Discrete Event-driven Sensory feedback Control (DESC) feedback.
• To investigate the effect of DESC feedback on visual attention and motor performance in prosthesis users.
• To validate findings in both healthy participants and experienced prosthesis users.

Main Methods:

• Healthy participants performed motor tasks with their intact hand, a simulated prosthesis without DESC feedback, and a simulated prosthesis with DESC feedback.
• An experienced prosthesis user's performance was evaluated under similar conditions.
• Cognitive load, visual attention, and motor performance were measured during manipulation tasks.

Main Results:

• DESC feedback enhanced prosthesis usability by supporting motor performance.
• No significant increase in cognitive load was observed with DESC feedback.
• DESC feedback did not consistently reduce visual reliance during short-term task execution.

Conclusions:

• DESC feedback shows potential for improving myoelectric prosthesis usability by enhancing performance without increasing cognitive demand.
• The impact of DESC feedback on visual attention requires further investigation, particularly regarding long-term exposure effects.
• Future research should explore extended use to determine if attentional benefits emerge over time.