Individualizing goals for users of externally powered partial hand prostheses

This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Whelan L, Flinn S, Wagner N. Individualizing goals for users of externally powered partial hand prostheses. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2014;51(6):885–94. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2013.08.0181

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2013.08.0181JSP

Individualizing goals for users of externally powered partial hand

prostheses

Lynsay Whelan, MS, OTR/L; Sharon Flinn, PhD, OTR/L, CHT; Nathan Wagner, LPO, CPO, OTR/L



• Aim– Identify those tasks that individuals with partial hand

limb loss or deficiency find both difficult to perform and important.

• Relevance– This information leads to personalized modifications

for individuals with prosthetic hands to ensure accomplishment of priority tasks.



Method• Subjects– 15 participants with partial hand amputations.

• Measure– Flinn Performance Screening Tool (FPST):

• Identifies valued life activities of individuals recovering from injury. – Dichotomous rating scale:

• 1 = activity was important but problematic. • 0 = activity was not important or not problematic.

– Of important but problematic items, subjects ranked top 5 priorities.



Results• Participants reported an average of 18 important

and problematic tasks. • Most commonly reported activity limitations: – Cut meat, peel vegetables, trim nails, fasten buttons,

serve food, tie rubbish, care for toenails, open packages, wash glasses, carry bulky items.



Conclusion• This study suggests need to identify and

personalize care of individuals with partial hand amputations for improved prosthetic fabrication and functional outcomes.

• Ability to address priority tasks in design and programming of and training with partial hand prosthesis shows promise when personalized goals are obtained.

Documents

Individualizing goals for users of externally powered partial hand prostheses