Ipsilateral Scapular Cutaneous Anchor System: An alternative for the harness in body-powered upper-limb prostheses.
Mona Hichert, Dick H Plettenburg
PMID 28318402WHAT IT FOUND
The Anchor System and the figure-of-nine harness gave similar force control accuracy and steadiness.
Accuracy and steadiness worsened as target force increased.
Key findings
01The Anchor System and the figure-of-nine harness did not differ significantly in force reproduction error or force variability.
02At the 10, 20, 30, and 40 N target forces, both force reproduction error and force variability increased with force level, and participants overestimated the target force.
03The authors concluded that overall force perception and control were comparable between the two systems, but the participants were able-bodied subjects rather than prosthesis users.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study used only 10 right-handed male able-bodied subjects, not people who use upper-limb prostheses. Force levels were tested only up to 40 N, so differences at higher forces are unknown. The force reproduction task simulated short and intensive use, not normal daily prosthesis operation. Comfort and cosmetic value were not quantified. The Anchor System may be difficult to attach alone and is not feasible for users allergic to adhesive substances. Two subjects had much larger errors with the harness, but this was not treated as a general preference.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest. The study received financial support from Fonds NutsOhra (grant number 1101-049).
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that the Anchor System is proven better, or equivalent for prosthesis users. The study tested only able-bodied men in a laboratory force task, not people who use upper-limb prostheses, and it did not measure comfort or cosmetic benefit.