Article

As part of the process of improving prosthetic arms, it is important
to obtain the opinions of the user population. OBJECTIVES: To identify factors
that should be focused on to improve prosthesis provision. STUDY DESIGN: Postal
questionnaire. METHODS: The questionnaire was sent to 292 adults (aged 18 to 70
years) with upper-limb loss or absence at five centres (four in Europe)
Participants were identified as regular attendees of the centres. RESULTS: This
questionnaire received a response from 180 users (response rate 62%) of different
types of prosthetic devices. Responses showed that the type of prosthesis
generally used was associated with gender, level of loss and use for work
(Pearson chi-square, p-values below 0.05). The type of prosthesis was not
associated with cause, side, usage (length per day, sports or driving) or
reported problems. The findings did not identify any single factor requiring
focus for the improvement of prostheses or prosthetic provision. CONCLUSIONS:
Every part of the process of fitting a prosthesis can be improved, which will
have an effect for some of the population who use their devices regularly. There
is, however, no single factor that would bring greater improvement to all users.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Based on information gained from a broad range of prosthesis
users, no single aspect of prosthetic provision will have a greater impact on the
use of upper limb prostheses than any other. Efforts to improve the designs of
prosthetic systems can cover any aspect of provision.

Langue : ANGLAIS