SoftHand Comparison Study

Toward Use of the Synergy-based SoftHand Pro for Activities of Daily Living by Persons With Transradial Limb Loss: A Multi-site Clinical Trial

A trial to compare the performance of the SoftHand Pro (SHP) and Ossur i-Limb in people with transradial limb loss over an 8-week period.

This study will measure improvements in outcomes obtained from laboratory testing of the SHP and i-Limb from baseline to after 8 weeks of daily use. A secondary analysis will incorporate the subjects' existing prosthetic hands. Finally, surveys and usage data collected through the SHP and i-Limb firmware during daily use will complement data the aforementioned outcomes to explore factors that may be related to differences in grasping and manipulation performance.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. the individual can successfully use their prosthesis, list the components used and that their current prosthesis is fitting properly (by performing a tension analysis);
2. the individual had unilateral transradial limb loss more than 6 months before the clinical evaluation because, to use a myoelectric prosthesis, the residual limb volume needs to be stable;
3. the individual is a proficient owner of one or more common myoelectric prosthetic hands, such as the Sensor Hand Speed and Bebionic.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. individuals who have had transradial amputation for less than 6 months;
2. individuals who have been fit and trained to use a prosthesis but chose not to use one;
3. individuals who use the i-Limb Quantum myoelectric prosthesis;
4. symptomatic brachial plexopathy, cervical radiculopathy or polyneuropathy (observed);
5. orthopedic, joint degeneration (i.e., arthritis, self-reported) affecting the hand or cervical spine that severely limit upper limb function (observed);
6. visual problems that would interfere with the grasping;
7. co-existing central nervous system disease with symptoms that limit upper extremity function (e.g., multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, myasthenia gravis, Parkinson's disease, dystonia) revealed in medical history;
8. limited range of motion as assessed through range of motion testing;
9. inability to follow study instructions;
10. use of medications that might affect sensory and/or motor functions.