Comparison of body-powered and myoelectric prostheses for a person with unilateral forequarter amputation

Abstract

Shoulder prosthesis is reported to be difficult to accept and continue to use due to the heavy weight and reduced operating efficiency of the prostheses. Refusal rates are reported to be higher than those for other major forms of amputation. The proportion of persons with high level amputation in Japan is small and very little reported. In this study, training and evaluation of a body-powered prosthesis and hybrid myoelectric prosthesis were conducted for an adult man who had suffered unilateral forequarter amputation by trauma. The Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure (SHAP) score was higher with the body-powered prosthesis than with the hybrid myoelectric prosthesis ; however, the effectiveness of the hybrid myoelectric prosthesis was revealed in his workplace.