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Comparing the Attentional Demands and Functional Outcomes in People With Transradial Amputation
Sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University
Summary
Different ways of controlling an upper-limb prosthesis can affect how easy it is to use and how helpful it is in everyday activities. One common method, called direct control, uses signals from two muscles and can make switching between movements difficult. Another clinically available option, called pattern recognition control, uses signals from several muscles to better understand the user's intended movement and may feel more natural to use. This study compares these two control methods to see how they affect function for adults with below-the-elbow limb loss.
Official title: Comparing the Attentional Demands and Functional Outcomes of Pattern Recognition and Direct Myoelectric Control in People With Transradial Amputation
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
32
Start Date
2026-05
Completion Date
2027-12
Last Updated
2026-04-09
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Training with PRC
All participants will receive in-person training with an onsite study prosthetist for the assigned controller strategy. The purpose of the training will be to instruct users on the care of the device formally and to achieve a basic level of functional performance. Training will be individualized according to clinical discretion consistent with clinical practice. Training will consist of up to four sessions to facilitate participants' use of the assigned controller system. The number of sessions will be competency-based (i.e., determined by the ability of each participant to explain or perform specified tasks). A standardized protocol and training checklist have been developed by clinical subject matter experts (i.e., upper limb prosthetists and occupational therapists).
Training with DC
All participants will receive in-person training with an onsite study prosthetist for the assigned controller strategy. The purpose of the training will be to instruct users on the care of the device formally and to achieve a basic level of functional performance. Training will be individualized according to clinical discretion consistent with clinical practice. Training will consist of up to four sessions to facilitate participants' use of the assigned controller system. The number of sessions will be competency-based (i.e., determined by the ability of each participant to explain or perform specified tasks). A standardized protocol and training checklist have been developed by clinical subject matter experts (i.e., upper limb prosthetists and occupational therapists).
PRC Device use in community and home
After the training sessions, all subjects will use the PRC device in their homes, just in a different order.
DC Device use in community and home
After the training sessions, all subjects will use the DC device in their homes, just in a different order.
Locations (2)
Hanger Inc.
Austin, Texas, United States
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia, United States