The multi-grip and standard myoelectric hand prosthesis compared: does the multi-grip hand live up to its promise?
Nienke Kerver, Verena Schuurmans, Corry K van der Sluis and 1 others
PMID 36793049WHAT IT FOUND
The multi-grip hand did not improve dexterity or reduce compensatory movements compared to the standard hand.
It was slower for some tasks, and users reported more pain, noise, and fragility. The standard hand performed better on most measures.
Key findings
01Users with the multi-grip hand completed the upward clothespin test significantly slower than with the standard hand, but there was no difference in joint coordination or compensatory movements for the majority of users.
02The multi-grip group reported significantly lower health-related quality of life, more pain, and worse satisfaction with features like noise, grip force, and vulnerability compared to the standard hand group.
03Most users did not switch grips frequently during functional tests, suggesting the added complexity of the multi-grip hand may not translate to practical benefit for typical tasks.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The sample size was small, particularly for the crossover arm (14 users), and the groups were not perfectly matched, with MHP users having significantly less experience with their current device (3.1 years vs 29.4 years). The tests used may not have been sensitive enough to capture the specific benefits of grip switching, as most participants rarely changed grips during the assessment. The study design mixed between-group and within-group comparisons, meaning some results (like quality of life) compare different people, not just different hands. The MHP group had lower reported pain and quality of life scores, but it is unclear if this is due to the hand itself or underlying differences between people who choose or are prescribed these devices.
Declared interests
The authors declared no competing interests. The study was supported by non-U.S. government funding.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that the multi-grip hand is universally inferior or that the standard hand is better for everyone. The MHP users had much less experience with their current device than the SHP users, which may have influenced satisfaction and functional performance. Additionally, the MHP was rated better for social tasks like shaking hands, so the choice depends on individual patient priorities.