COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS AND FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE OF MULTIPLE DEGREE OF FREEDOM PROSTHETIC HANDS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH UNILATERAL TRANSRADIAL OR WRIST DISARTICULATION AMPUTATION

Abstract

The stated goals of multiple degree of freedom (DOF) prosthetic hands are to improve function and create more natural movements for the prosthetic user. This cross-sectional observational study tested 75 persons with unilateral transradial or wrist disarticulation amputation using standardized measures. Three subtypes of prostheses were compared: body-powered, myoelectric single-DOF terminal device, and myoelectric multi-DOF terminal device. In most categories there was no significant difference in performance with the multi-DOF devices. Body-powered users had better scores in two measures of dexterity compared to myo multi-DOF users. Myo single-DOF users performed better than body-powered users in one test of everyday activities.