The Functional Importance of Powered Wrist Flexion for Transradial Prosthetic Users

This study aims to explore the importance of powered wrist flexion in prosthetic devices for individuals with transradial amputations, which refers to amputations below the elbow. It focuses on understanding how new prosthetic technologies and control methods can improve the way users perform everyday tasks. Many current assessment methods only measure how quickly a task is completed, without considering the quality of movement or the specific movements involved. This research is significant because it seeks to fill this gap by evaluating the benefits of advanced prosthetic components, potentially leading to better designs that enhance the daily lives of prosthetic users. Participants in the study engage in tasks using a system called the Gaze and Movement Assessment (GaMA), which evaluates how well prosthetics work by analyzing movements in three dimensions, eye movements, and task performance. The tasks include moving a cup and a pasta box, simulating everyday actions that require reaching and handling objects at different heights. These tasks are divided into steps like reaching, grasping, transporting, and releasing the object, allowing researchers to study each movement in detail. The study measures how different prosthetic components affect these movements, with the aim of improving prosthetic designs to reduce the need for extra body adjustments. The study also gathers data to verify the GaMA system's effectiveness in assessing prosthetic use.