To quantify usage of DEKA hand grip patterns during home use and compare patterns of usage at home to test sessions, a study was conducted to determine how upper-limb prosthesis users take advantage of multiple grip options. The results showed that patterns of hand grip usage differed between home and test environments, suggesting that users relied on fewer grip patterns while at home.
As part of the study published online September 15 in Prosthetics and Orthotics International, engineering data was collected from 21 subjects at various intervals. Proportion of time in each grip was calculated for the first four weeks of home use, in later months, and in test sessions and compared statistically across intervals. Exploratory analyses compared grip proportion by DEKA Arm level and prior prosthesis use; no significant differences were found.
The study showed that the three most commonly used grips during home use were power, pinch open, and lateral pinch. There were no significant differences between grip use during the first month and later months. Power grip was used 55 percent of the time at home and 23 percent of the time in testing use. Pinch closed, lateral, and chuck grip were used less at home than in tests.
