Results of a study comparing patient-reported and functional measures in unilateral transradial prosthetic users transitioning from a body-powered or traditional myoelectric prosthesis to a multiarticulating hands (MAH) showed improved function after MAH prescription.
Of 38 users provided with MAHs, 20 had complete data sets of patient-reported and functional measures before and six months after provision. These included Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure Index of Function; health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L Health Index); Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales satisfaction; and Box and Block Test.
The mean age of the participants was 44 years, and 75 percent were male. There was an eight-unit mean reduction in the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand, and a 9.5-unit improvement in the Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure Index of Function at six months after provision. Health-related quality of life did not change. Users reported a four-point improvement in their Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales and transferred 3.3 more blocks when completing the Box and Block Test.
“The evidence clearly supports continued provision of MAHs to this group of moderate users: the more function the user achieves, the less of a disability they perceive to have,” the study’s authors concluded.
The study, “Comparison of patient-reported and functional outcomes after transition from traditional upper limb prosthetics to multiarticulating hands in the user with a unilateral transradial amputation,” was published in Prosthetics and Orthotics International.
