Mobile, Game-Based Training for Myoelectric Prosthesis Control

Brent D. Winslow, Mitchell Ruble, Zachary Huber

Myoelectric prostheses provide upper limb amputees with hand and arm movement control using muscle activity of the residual limb, but require intensive training to effectively operate. The result is that many amputees abandon their prosthesis before mastering control of their device. In the present study, we examine a novel, mobile, game-based approach to myoelectric prosthesis training. Using the non-dominant limb in a group of able-bodied participants to model amputee pre-prosthetic training, a significant improvement in factors underlying successful myoelectric prosthesis use, including muscle control, sequencing, and isolation were observed. Participants also reported high levels of usability, and motivation with the game-based approach to training. Given fiscal or geographic constraints that limit pre-prosthetic amputee care, mobile myosite training, as described in the current study, has the potential to improve rehabilitation success rates by providing myosite training outside of the clinical environment. Future research should include longitudinal studies in amputee populations to evaluate the impact of pre-prosthetic training methods on prosthesis acceptance, wear time, abandonment, functional outcomes, quality of life, and return to work.