Wireless Prosthetic Control Effectiveness Study

The study evaluates the Asterisk system to determine if Asterisk will increase a user's self-reported satisfaction with their prosthesis as measured by the Orthotic and Prosthetic User Survey-Satisfaction with Device (OPUS-SD) when compared to their current prosthesis. While the technology has the potential to benefit other patient populations, the investigators will focus this initial pilot study on individuals with trans-radial limb absence to reduce potential confounding variables associated with including other amputation levels.

The proposed Asterisk system would allow for liners to be worn with upper limb myoelectric systems. By creating wireless sensors that can be worn under a liner, the sensors can be placed on the skin to collect the myoelectric signal, the liner then rolled over the top of the sensors when donning, and the sensors can transmit the EMG signal wirelessly to the prosthesis. The Asterisk system would also be beneficial to those with osseointegration, unreliable prosthesis control with EMG signals collected in the area encompassed by their socket, and prosthesis users who struggle with volume management.

The investigators plan to conduct a randomized 2x2 crossover study to evaluate benefits provided by prostheses utilizing the Asterisk electrodes over standard prostheses. The two crossover test conditions are "Experimental" (myoelectric control with the Asterisk system) and "Control" (standard prosthetic device configuration). For the control condition, the subject will be using their everyday prosthesis. For the experimental condition, the investigators will fabricate and provide a new socket to allow for the additional socket volume necessary for liners worn with the Asterisk electrodes. Each subject will participate in both conditions of the study. The condition that each subject completes first will be chosen by a random number generator that also ensures block randomization with an equal number of participants assigned to each condition first in the test sequence using a custom program that was created under a prior research project.

Subjects will participate in at least four research visits and will take part in two, one-month long take-home periods. Some researchers have suggested that persons with transradial amputation require, on average, 3-5 weeks of training , while others have suggested that 5 hours of training is sufficient . Therefore, the investigators expect a one-month take-home period to be sufficient to allow users to become comfortable with each socket configuration while optimizing the take-home duration to maximize study efficiency.

In-lab test visits will consist of outcome measures such as the OPUS-SD and the Box and Blocks functional test for each study condition.

After receiving IRB approval, subjects will be recruited and screened for eligibility. If they are eligible and decide to participate, they will be scheduled for their first site visit. At the first study visit, subjects will be given the informed consent form to read through entirely before signing and are encouraged to ask questions at any time.

All subjects, regardless of test condition, will then receive training on controlling their prosthesis in their current test condition by the study personnel. The training will start with basic skills, including opening and closing the device, and grasping various shapes such as cone/cups, regular/irregular block shapes, and various size and weight balls. Then they will advance to splinter skills, involving partial completion of activities of daily living (ADL) tasks, for example, positioning the device on the handle of a large mug and gripping the handle. And finally, they will practice full task skills, e.g., grasping the handle of a large mug and bringing the mug up to the subject's mouth to drink from it, putting the mug back down, and releasing the grip. All subjects will also receive instructions on how to fill out the daily log (for the ensuing at-home portion of the study).

In certain cases, subjects may become too fatigued (physically or mentally) to complete the entire planned activity during the scheduled visit. Additionally, in some cases, equipment failures may delay completion of the activity planned for a visit. In such a case, subjects may be invited to return to complete the visit activity at the next mutually agreed date. If the return visit is due to equipment failures, subjects will be offered the standard travel stipend for the secondary visit.

During take-home periods, the investigators will periodically check-in with the subject (by phone, text, email, etc.) to maximize adherence to the daily log, debug any technical issues, etc.