Surgically invasive interfaces for upper-limb
prosthesis control may allow users to operate advanced, multiarticulated
devices. Recent research, however, sought to understand what factors
influence an individual’s decision to commit to the procedure given its
potential medical risks. After an anonymous online survey of individuals
with upper-limb loss, researchers concluded that participants were more
likely to be interested in all interfaces if they had unilateral limb
loss. Participants were more likely to be interested in the invasive
interfaces if they were younger and had acquired limb loss, and
participants who used a myoelectric device were more likely to be
interested in myoelectric control than those who did not.
A total
of 232 participants provided personal information (such as age,
amputation level, etc.) and rated how likely they would be to try
noninvasive (myoelectric) and invasive (targeted muscle reinnervation,
peripheral nerve interfaces, or cortical interfaces) interfaces for
prosthesis control. Bivariate relationships between interest in each
interface and 16 personal descriptors were examined. Significant
variables from the bivariate analyses were then used to predict interest
in each interface.
The open-access study was published August 2 in PLOS One.
To read more about the study’s background, visit Assessing Prosthesis Design Priorities From the User’s Perspective.
