Driving ability following upper limb amputation

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 391-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Burger ◽  
Črt Marinček
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Driving Ability ◽  
Limb Amputation ◽  
Safe Driving ◽  
Amputation Level ◽  
Upper Limb Amputation ◽  
Retrospective Clinical Study ◽  
Limb Deficiency

Background:In the existing literature, there is scarce information about subjects with upper limb amputation and driving.Objectives:The aim of this study was to find out how frequently subjects following upper limb amputation have problems when driving; most frequently proposed adaptations and, when possible, factors that influence driving ability.Study design:Retrospective clinical study.Methods:Medical records were reviewed of all subjects following upper limb amputation who had been amputated in the last 5 years and those with congenital upper limb deficiency who in the last 5 years turned 17.Results:Out of 37 subjects, 7 did not attend the clinic for assessment of driving abilities. They were significantly older at the time of the amputation ( p < 0.001). To the remaining 30 who attended driving assessment, zero to four car adaptations (two on average) were proposed. There were no correlations between the number of suggested car adaptations and the age at the time of the amputation, amputation level, education and severity of phantom limb pain. Type of prosthesis also did not influence the number of car adaptations.Conclusions:Most people following upper limb amputation need at least one car adaptation for safe driving.Clinical relevanceMost people following upper limb amputation need car adaptations for safe driving. Assessment of driving abilities has to be a part of comprehensive rehabilitation of these persons.

Prosthesis satisfaction in a national sample of Veterans with upper limb amputation

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Resnik ◽  
Matthew Borgia ◽  
Allen W Heinemann ◽  
Melissa A Clark
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Limb Amputation ◽  
Amputation Level ◽  
Upper Limb Amputation ◽  
Terminal Device ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Device Type ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Many persons with upper limb amputation reject prostheses, and many are not satisfied with their devices. Research is needed to understand modifiable factors related to device satisfaction. Myoelectric devices with multiple degrees of freedom are now available; however, no studies have examined whether they lead to greater device satisfaction. Prosthetic training contributes to more skillful prosthesis use and greater likelihood of long-term use; however, the relationship between training and device satisfaction is unclear. Objectives: (1) To describe and compare satisfaction by prosthesis and terminal device type and (2) to identify factors associated with satisfaction. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Participants were 449 persons with unilateral upper limb amputation who used a prosthesis. Participants described their prostheses, prosthetic training, device repairs, visits to a prosthetist, and rated device satisfaction using two standardized measures (Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales Satisfaction scale and Orthotics and Prosthetics Users’ Survey - Client Satisfaction with Devices scale). Multivariate generalized linear regression models examined the relationship between prosthesis and terminal device type and satisfaction, controlling for covariates that were meaningful in bivariate analyses. Results: There were no differences in satisfaction by prosthesis type or terminal device degrees of freedom. Satisfaction was associated with receipt of training to use the initial prosthesis, amputation level, age, and race. Conclusion: No differences in satisfaction by device or terminal device type were observed. Worse satisfaction was associated with more proximal amputation level, younger age, and black race. The association between receipt of initial prosthetic training and device satisfaction points to the critical role of occupational or physical therapy in the early stages of prosthetic care. Clinical relevance Prosthetic satisfaction did not vary by device or terminal device degrees of freedom. Proximal amputation level, younger age, and black race were associated with lower prosthetic satisfaction. Receipt of initial prosthetic training was associated with greater device satisfaction, pointing to the critical role and lasting impact of early training.

scholarly journals Characterising phantom limb phenomena in upper limb amputees

2001 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Fraser ◽  
P. W. Halligan ◽  
I. H. Robertson ◽  
S. G. B. Kirker
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Limb Amputation ◽  
Upper Limb Amputation ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Stump Pain ◽  
Descriptive Survey ◽  
Clinic Population ◽  
Cortical Reorganisation

A systematic descriptive survey was carried out on a clinic population with acquired upper limb amputation in which clear distinctions were made between phantom experiences, pre-amputation pain and stump pain. It was found that of 76 participants 96% reported phantom experiences and 84% were currently experiencing phantom limb phenomena (PLP). Sixty-nine percent (69%) of those currently experiencing phantom phenomena stated that the phantoms were painful. Significant relationships were found between frequency of phantom experiences and side and level of amputation. In addition, the presence of ‘trigger’ points reported by a sub group of participants was found to be associated with the frequency of phantoms and painful phantoms. This finding could provide support for cortical reorganisation post amputation. It is suggested that detailed individual ‘profiling’ of phantom experiences is important and would have the following implications: it would contribute to existing knowledge and provide new insights into the central nervous system's reorganisation post-amputation; it would provide an accurate way of representing amputees’ anomalous perceptions; it would alert health professionals to the presence, variety and extent of PLP following amputation.

Brief activity performance measure for upper limb amputees: BAM-ULA

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Resnik ◽  
Matthew Borgia ◽  
Frantzy Acluche
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Concurrent Validity ◽  
Hand Function ◽  
Degree Of Freedom ◽  
Limb Amputation ◽  
Amputation Level ◽  
Upper Limb Amputation ◽  
Activity Performance ◽  
Activity Measure

Background: Measures of activity performance for adults with upper limb amputation are needed. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the measurement properties of a new measure of activity performance for adults with upper limb amputation, which we call the Brief Activity Measure for Upper Limb Amputees (BAM-ULA) and to compare BAM-ULA scores for users of different types of prostheses. Methods: In all, 35 persons with upper limb amputation were administered the BAM-ULA, twice within 1 week. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability were evaluated. Construct validity was examined by comparing scores by amputation level. Concurrent validity was evaluated by examining correlations with other measures. Exploratory analyses using linear regression compared sub-group scores for users of myoelectric and body-powered devices, and for users of single-degree-of-freedom and multi-articulating devices, controlling for amputation level. Results: The scale alpha was 0.83; intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.91. Item scores differed by amputation level and device type. Persons with transradial amputation completed more items than those with amputations at the transhumeral or shoulder level ( p < 0.05). Users of myoelectric devices completed more items than users of body-powered devices ( p < 0.05). The BAM-ULA strongly correlated with the Activities Measure for Upper Limb Amputees; R = 0.86) and three modified Jebsen–Taylor Hand Function Tests ( R = 0.62–0.68) and moderately correlated with one Jebsen–Taylor Hand Function Test ( R = 0.46) as well as with the Wong–Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. No differences in scores were found by degree of freedom of the terminal device after controlling for amputation level. Conclusion: Analyses support reliability, construct validity, and concurrent validity of the Brief Activity Measure for Upper Limb Amputees. This new briefer measure is easier to score than the Activities Measure for Upper Limb Amputees. Clinical relevance This article reported on the development and evaluation of a brief 10-item measure of activity performance for persons with upper limb impairment, the BAM-ULA. The BAM-ULA takes 10 min to administer and has a simple scoring method, which may facilitate its adoption by clinicians in the field.

scholarly journals Phantom limb perception interferes with motor imagery after unilateral upper-limb amputation

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan Lyu ◽  
Xiaoli Guo ◽  
Robin Bekrater-Bodmann ◽  
Herta Flor ◽  
Shanbao Tong
Keyword(s):  
Motor Imagery ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Limb Amputation ◽  
Upper Limb Amputation
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