Functional training and evaluation of myoelectric hand

doi:10.3321/j.issn:1673-8225.2004.32.019

Abstract：BACKGROUND: The sensitivity and accuracy of the presently developed myoelectric hand are not satisfactory and moreover, the muscle that controls the myoelectric hand is easy to tired, which will affect the maneuvers of the myoelectric hand.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the optimal method of myoelectric hand feedback training and evaluate the effect of myoelectric hand.DESIGN: A self-cross controlled trial.SETTING: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Affiliated Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Second Medical University and Beijing Artificial Limb Factory.PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen patients including 11 male and 3 female aged (25 + 8.69) years old that requested the installation of myoelectric hands (16 myoelectric hands) after the amputation of the upper limbs were selected from the hospitalised patients in the Outpatient Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital.METHODS: Biofeedback processes for myoelectric hands were divided into three stages: basic signal of myoelectric feedback training, visible feedback trainin and ADL functional training. Training time was 4 to 6 weeks.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The functional evaluation for myoelectric hand.RESULTS: Sixteen myoelectric hands could grasp, pinch and rotate wrist according to the will of the amputees, which also could perform ADL functions, such as dressing, cleaning, eating and writing, etc..CONCLUSION: In order to reach the designed target of myoelectric hand,two keys must be emphasized: one is to look for the strongest myoelectric signal of the residual and the other is to continuously enhance the feedback training process, which coordinates vision with myoelectric hand.