Intermanual transfer effects in below-elbow myoelectric prosthesis users

OBJECTIVE: To determine intermanual transfer effects in patients with a below-elbow amputation using a myoelectric prosthesis, and to establish whether laterality affects these effects.

DESIGN: Case-control.

SETTING: A standardized setting in a rehabilitation clinic.

PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of experienced myoelectric prosthesis users (n=22) and matched controls (n=22). Controls were matched on sex, age (+/- 5 years) and hand dominance.

INTERVENTIONS: Both the experienced group and the control group performed several tasks using a prosthesis simulator attached to their non-affected arm.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: movement time, force control, Box and Blocks test (BBT)-scores and duration of hand opening.

RESULTS: Movement times of myoelectric prosthesis users were shorter and these users had significantly higher BBT-scores and shorter hand opening durations compared to controls. No intermanual transfer effects on force control and no laterality effects were found.

CONCLUSION: Intermanual transfer effects were present in experienced myoelectric prosthesis users with a below-elbow amputation, independent of laterality. These findings support the clinical relevance of intermanual transfer training, which may facilitate persons with an upper limb amputation to start training directly after the amputation.