Center for Biosensors, Bioelectronics and Biodevices (C3Bio), University of Bath, Bath, UK.
Research and Development, Open Bionics, Bristol, UK.
J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2022 Jul 23;19(1):80. doi: 10.1186/s12984-022-01054-y.
Upper-limb prostheses are regularly abandoned, in part due to the mismatch between user needs and prostheses performance. Sensory feedback is among several technological advances that have been proposed to reduce device abandonment rates. While it has already been introduced in some high-end commercial prostheses, limited data is available about user expectations in relation to sensory feedback. The aim of this study is thus to use a mixed methods approach to provide a detailed insight of users' perceptions and expectations of sensory feedback technology, to ensure the addition of sensory feedback is as acceptable, engaging and ultimately as useful as possible for users and, in turn, reduce the reliance on compensatory movements that lead to overuse syndrome.
The study involved an online survey (N = 37) and video call interviews (N = 15) where adults with upper-limb differences were asked about their experience with limb difference and prosthesis use (if applicable) and their expectations about sensory feedback to prostheses. The survey data were analysed quantitatively and descriptively to establish the range of sensory feedback needs and their variations across the different demographics. Reflexive thematic analysis was performed on the interview data, and data triangulation was used to understand key behavioural issues to generate actionable guiding principles for the development of sensory feedback systems.
The survey provided a list of practical examples and suggestions that did not vary with the different causes of limb difference or prosthesis use. The interviews showed that although sensory feedback is a desired feature, it must prove to have more benefits than drawbacks. The key benefit mentioned by participants was increasing trust, which requires a highly reliable system that provides input from several areas of the hand rather than just the fingertips. The feedback system should also complement existing implicit feedback sources without causing confusion or discomfort. Further, the effect sensory feedback has on the users' psychological wellbeing was highlighted as an important consideration that varies between individuals and should therefore be discussed. The results obtained were used to develop guiding principles for the design and implementation of sensory feedback systems.
This study provides a mixed-methods research on the sensory feedback needs of adults with upper-limb differences, enabling a deeper understanding of their expectations and worries. Guiding principles were developed based on the results of a survey and interviews to inform the development and assessment of sensory feedback for upper-limb prostheses.
上肢假肢经常被弃用，部分原因是用户需求与假肢性能不匹配。感觉反馈是为降低设备弃用率而提出的几项技术进步之一。虽然它已经在一些高端商业假肢中引入，但关于用户对感觉反馈的期望，可用的数据有限。因此，本研究旨在采用混合方法，深入了解用户对感觉反馈技术的感知和期望，以确保添加感觉反馈尽可能被用户接受、感兴趣并最终有用，从而减少导致过度使用综合征的代偿性运动的依赖。
本研究包括在线调查（N=37）和视频电话访谈（N=15），其中上肢有差异的成年人被问及他们的肢体差异和假肢使用经验（如果适用），以及他们对假肢感觉反馈的期望。调查数据进行了定量和描述性分析，以确定感觉反馈需求的范围及其在不同人群中的差异。对访谈数据进行了反思性主题分析，并使用数据三角化来了解关键行为问题，为感觉反馈系统的开发生成可操作的指导原则。
调查提供了一系列实用示例和建议，这些示例和建议不会因肢体差异或假肢使用的不同原因而有所不同。访谈表明，虽然感觉反馈是一个理想的功能，但它必须证明其益处大于弊端。参与者提到的关键益处是增加信任，这需要一个高度可靠的系统，该系统从手的几个区域而不仅仅是指尖提供输入。反馈系统还应补充现有的隐式反馈源，而不会造成混淆或不适。此外，感觉反馈对用户心理健康的影响被强调为一个重要的考虑因素，个体之间存在差异，因此应该进行讨论。研究结果用于制定上肢假肢感觉反馈系统设计和实施的指导原则。
本研究对上肢差异成年人的感觉反馈需求进行了混合方法研究，深入了解了他们的期望和担忧。基于调查和访谈的结果制定了指导原则，为上肢假肢的感觉反馈开发和评估提供了信息。
