Improving Control and Sensory Feedback of Upper Limb Prostheses Using Nerve and Movement Changes After Amputation

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying individuals who have had an upper limb amputation or agenesis to better understand and use the changes in nerve and movement control that happen after such amputations. This study focuses on phenomena like phantom limb sensations, phantom limb mobility, and compensatory motor strategies that develop to help improve how prosthetic arms are controlled and felt. The goal is to reduce mental effort and physical strain associated with prosthesis use by leveraging these natural nervous system reorganizations. The study involves various phases, including interviews to identify participants with non-painful phantom limb phenomena, mapping areas of the residual limb that produce phantom sensations, and assessing the influence of voluntary residual limb movements on muscle activity and cognitive load. Participants will test new prosthetic control methods that use phantom limb movements or compensatory motions with experimental prostheses specifically designed for this purpose. Tasks like the Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure and clothespin relocation test will be performed to evaluate motor compensations and prosthetic control. Participants will engage in several evaluation sessions over up to six months, during which phantom limb characteristics and prosthetic control performance will be measured. Assessments include cognitive workload scoring and hand function tests to track changes and improvements. The study aims to characterize phantom limb sensations and motor compensation to develop better prosthetic control methods. Participation requires understanding French and being affiliated with social security, and safety monitoring will focus on ensuring that pain or neurological conditions do not interfere with movement or study participation.

Using Sensorimotor Reorganization Following Upper Limb Amputation to Improve Prosthetic Control