Original research
Myoelectric Prosthesis Users Improve Performance Time and Accuracy Using Vibrotactile Feedback When Visual Feedback Is Disturbed

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2018.05.019Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the effects of adding vibrotactile feedback (VTF) in myoelectric prosthesis users during performance of a functional task when visual feedback is disturbed.

Design

A repeated-measures design with a counter-balanced order of 3 conditions.

Setting

Laboratory setting.

Participants

Transradial amputees using a myoelectric prosthesis with normal or corrected eyesight (N=12, median age 65±13y). Exclusion criteria were orthopedic or neurologic problems.

Interventions

All participants performed the modified Box and Blocks Test, grasping and manipulating 16 blocks over a partition using their myoelectric prosthesis. This was performed 3 times: in full light, in a dark room without VTF, and in a dark room with VTF.

Main Outcome Measures

Performance time, that is, the time needed to transfer 1 block, and accuracy during performance, measured by number of empty grips, empty transitions with no block and block drops from the hand.

Results

Significant differences were found in all outcome measures when VTF was added, with improved performance time (4.2 vs 5.3s) and a reduced number of grasping errors (3.0 vs 6.5 empty grips, 1.5 vs 4 empty transitions, 2.0 vs 4.5 block drops).

Conclusions

Adding VTF to myoelectric prosthesis users has positive effects on performance time and accuracy when visual feedback is disturbed.

Section snippets

Participants

A total of 12 myoelectric prosthesis users were recruited for the study. We calculated the sample size using an interactive program for performing power and sample size calculations.a A preliminary experiment with 20 nonimpaired participants showed that the standard deviation of our primary outcome measure, the performance time of the modified Box and Blocks Test, was 20% of the mean performance time. If the expected difference in the performance time between the trials with and without

Results

The participants in our study were experienced prosthesis users, with a median time of 43 years after their limb loss. The median duration of time for using the prosthesis per day was 15.5 hours (see table 1). All participants were also highly adjusted to using a prosthesis, both socially and physically, as was indicated by the high scores in the Orthotics and Prosthetics User Survey-Upper Extremity Functional Status and Revised Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales questionnaires

Discussion

In this study, we tested the effects of adding VTF to a myoelectric prosthesis on the performance time and accuracy of a grasping and transferring task. Our main finding is that when visual feedback is disturbed, the addition of VTF improves performance time and reduces the number of errors when performing a functional grasping test. Unlike previous studies, which provided different feedback combinations (visual, auditory, tactile),30, 31, 32 in this study we deprived the participants of both

Conclusions

In conclusion, VTF can be an effective addition to myoelectric prostheses when visual feedback is disturbed, assisting the user to improve performance time and accuracy of grasping and manipulation. If VTF is added to current myoelectric hands, it may assist them to improve their functional ability during daily life activities in different environments.

Suppliers

  • a.

    PS Power and sample size calculation software, version 3.1.2; Vanderbilt University.

  • b.

    Flexiforce A201; Tekscan Inc.

  • c.

    Shaftless vibration motor 10 × 2.0 mm; Pololu.

  • d.

    Arduino Uno Rev3; Arduino Holding.

  • e.

    Open-source Arduino software, version 1.8.5; Ardunio Holding.

  • f.

    Miracase 2600 mAh portable power bank; Hong Kong Miracle Technology Co, Ltd.

  • g.

    Box and Blocks Test; Patterson Medical.

  • h.

    DCcduino UNO; DCc Electronics.

  • i.

    IR fixed lens camera F-717; Provision-ISR.

  • j.

    IBM SPSS statistics, version 21; IBM.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Efrat Gabay, BSc, and Or Weinstein, BSc, from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Fleischmann Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, for their help with design and construction of the VTF system. This work was performed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a PhD degree of Eitan Raveh, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.

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  • Cited by (0)

    Clinical Trial Registration No.: NCT02749643.

    Disclosures: none.

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