A Survey on Activities of Daily Living and Occupations of Upper Extremity Amputees

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess prosthetic use by upper extremity amputees, and their difficulties with prostheses in activities of daily living and occupations.MethodThis study is based on a survey of 307 subjects, who were using prostheses manufactured in the Center of Prosthetics and Orthotics. The survey questionnaire included items about general demographic characteristics, side and level of amputation, type of prosthesis and its use, and difficulties in the activities of daily living, employment and driving.ResultsThe most common type of prosthesis was the cosmetic hand type (80.2%). There were no statistically significant correlations between satisfaction with prosthesis and the amputation level or type of prosthesis. The most common difficulties in daily living activities experienced by amputees were lacing shoes, removing bottle-tops with a bottle opener, and using scissors. Only 7.3% of amputees received rehabilitation services. Less than half of the amputees (44.7%) used their prostheses for eight or more hours a day, and 76.9% used their prostheses for regular or irregular cosmetic purposes. After amputation, most of the respondents (69.0%) became unemployed or changed workplaces.ConclusionIn our study, respondents preferred cosmetic usage to functional usage. Only 30.0% of respondents reported satisfaction with their prostheses. Many of the amputees had difficulties in complex tasks and either changed jobs or became unemployed. Clerical workers were the occupation group, which was most likely to return to work. The development of a more functional prosthetic hand and additional rehabilitation services are required.

A comprehensive musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous system assessment of war-related bilateral upper extremity amputees

“…Consistent with our results, back pain in upper limb amputees was reported as the most common complaint in up to more than half of the participants [15]. Moreover, consistent with previous results, more than three-quarters of our cases experienced phantom sensation [7]. Phantom pain was found in approximately two-thirds of participants, which was in accordance with the estimates of previous studies of 50 to 90 % in upper limb amputees [15, 19–21].…”

Neurocognitive barriers to the embodiment of technology

“…Surprisingly, despite great progress from a technological standpoint in the design of prosthetics, and the fact that amputees are under societal and physical pressure to wear their prostheses, only 45% of all arm amputees choose to use their prosthesis throughout the day 3 . Of these, many prefer the simpler, low-tech devices (only 20% take advantage of technologically advanced robotic prosthetics 3 ).…”

Influence of standardized activities on validity of Assessment of Capacity for Myoelectric Control

“…It is therefore important to examine this also in the ACMC. Furthermore, studies on the influence of prosthetic side among persons with acquired amputation (AA) have shown a difference in skill between users on the dominant versus nondominant side [11][12][13]. The question is, therefore, Do the activities function similarly across prosthetic sides?…”