Article

The addition of a passive wrist to a single degree of freedom
prosthesis has an effect on its functionality. The amount of impact is
undetermined. OBJECTIVES: To measure the grasping function of a commercial single
degree of freedom hands with and without two forms of passive wrist flexor. STUDY
DESIGN: Form-board and timed tasks. METHOD: Repeated measures with a single
subject using a validated assessment tool. The test measured the function of one
conventional, single axis, powered hand controlled by the same myocontroller
format. It was used in conjunction with a passive three position wrist flexor, a
wrist with compliance in the flex/extend and radial/ulnar deviation and compared
with a hand without these axes. RESULTS: The overall functional score of the hand
alone was 80 out of 100. The use of a wrist flexion unit resulted in a higher
score (83) and the compliant wrist achieved a score of 79. The addition of a
wrist allowed improved performance in Power, Lateral and Tips grips for both
wrist designs, in addition the Extension grip was improved with the compliant
wrist. CONCLUSION: Wrist flexion had a positive impact on the functional score.
It enabled some tasks to be performed quicker and with less difficulty.

Langue : ANGLAIS