Liselotte M. N. Hermansson

Upper limb prosthetic outcome measures: Review and content comparison based on International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) has been recommended as a framework for evaluation of aspects of health. The aim of this study was to compare the contents of outcome measures for upper limb prosthesis users by using the ICF. Measurement focus and psychometric properties of these measures were also investigated. Outcome measures that used upper limb prosthesis users as subjects in their development and psychometric evaluations were selected. The psychometric studies (n = 14) were reviewed and scored and the items in the measures were linked to the ICF. One measure for all ages (ACMC), five paediatric measures (CAPP-FSI, CAPP-PSI, PUFI, UBET and UNB) and two adult measures (OPUS and TAPES) were selected. The concepts extracted (n = 393) were linked to 54 categories in the ICF. The ACMC, CAPP-FSI, UBET, UNB and PUFI measure categories mostly under the ICF component ‘Activity and participation’. The TAPES and OPUS also measure ICF categories that describe the emotional and social status of a person. The main conclusion is that the use of a mixture of outcome measures would give a better picture on the aspects of our clients. Measures that focus on the social interaction in paediatric users are required.

Phantom motor execution facilitated by machine learning and augmented reality as treatment for phantom limb pain: a single group, clinical trial in patients with chronic intractable phantom limb pain

BACKGROUND Phantom limb pain is a debilitating condition for which no effective treatment has been found. We hypothesised that re-engagement of central and peripheral circuitry involved in motor execution could reduce phantom limb pain via competitive plasticity and reversal of cortical reorganisation. METHODS Patients with upper limb amputation and known chronic intractable phantom limb pain were recruited at three clinics in Sweden and one in Slovenia. Patients received 12 sessions of phantom motor execution using machine learning, augmented and virtual reality, and serious gaming. Changes in intensity, frequency, duration, quality, and intrusion of phantom limb pain were assessed by the use of the numeric rating scale, the pain rating index, the weighted pain distribution scale, and a study-specific frequency scale before each session and at follow-up interviews 1, 3, and 6 months after the last session. Changes in medication and prostheses were also monitored. Results are reported using descriptive statistics and analysed by non-parametric tests. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02281539. FINDINGS Between Sept 15, 2014, and April 10, 2015, 14 patients with intractable chronic phantom limb pain, for whom conventional treatments failed, were enrolled. After 12 sessions, patients showed statistically and clinically significant improvements in all metrics of phantom limb pain. Phantom limb pain decreased from pre-treatment to the last treatment session by 47% (SD 39; absolute mean change 1·0 [0·8]; p=0·001) for weighted pain distribution, 32% (38; absolute mean change 1·6 [1·8]; p=0·007) for the numeric rating scale, and 51% (33; absolute mean change 9·6 [8·1]; p=0·0001) for the pain rating index. The numeric rating scale score for intrusion of phantom limb pain in activities of daily living and sleep was reduced by 43% (SD 37; absolute mean change 2·4 [2·3]; p=0·004) and 61% (39; absolute mean change 2·3 [1·8]; p=0·001), respectively. Two of four patients who were on medication reduced their intake by 81% (absolute reduction 1300 mg, gabapentin) and 33% (absolute reduction 75 mg, pregabalin). Improvements remained 6 months after the last treatment. INTERPRETATION Our findings suggest potential value in motor execution of the phantom limb as a treatment for phantom limb pain. Promotion of phantom motor execution aided by machine learning, augmented and virtual reality, and gaming is a non-invasive, non-pharmacological, and engaging treatment with no identified side-effects at present. FUNDING Promobilia Foundation, VINNOVA, Jimmy Dahlstens Fond, PicoSolve, and Innovationskontor Väst.

Functional Outcomes in the WHO-ICF Model : Establishment of the Upper Limb Prosthetic Outcome Measures Group

A need for a systematic measurement of function for upper limb prosthetics has been identified. Using the World Health Organization-International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (WHO-ICF) model, it was clear that no single test was able to cover the entire cycle of prosthetic use from research to application in the field, but it was believed that a unified approach throughout the profession would allow better communication between the contributors to this process. Through a series of meetings, such an approach has been formulated and a special interest group formed that aims to analyze the current literature on the subject, and identify which tools already in existence have the psychometric properties that allow for valid comparison of data between centers and countries. After this analysis, recommendations for a toolkit of different validated tools will be made, along with identifying any gaps within the kit that need additional attention.

Psychosocial adjustment in Swedish children with upper-limb reduction deficiency and a myoelectric prosthetic hand.

AIM To study psychosocial adjustment and mental health in children with upper-limb reduction deficiency and a myoelectric prosthetic hand. METHODS Sixty-two parents of children aged 8 to 18 y old answered a questionnaire concerning competence and behaviour/emotional problems in their children. Of the 62 children, 37 adolescents aged 11 to 18 y old answered questionnaires concerning competence, problems and mood state. The results were compared with Swedish normative data. The children were divided into five groups based on degree of myoelectric prosthetic use. RESULTS Children with upper-limb reduction deficiency and a myoelectric prosthetic hand showed social competence and behaviour/emotional problems similar to Swedish standardized norms. However, withdrawn behaviour was significantly higher in all children, social competence was significantly lower in girls, and social activities were significantly lower in older children with upper-limb reduction deficiency. There was a significant difference between prosthetic use groups. Non-users had significantly more delinquent behaviour problems than full-time users. There was an interaction between gender and prosthetic use in their affect on competence and behaviour/emotional problems, yielding two contrasting patterns. CONCLUSION Children with upper-limb reduction deficiency and a myoelectric prosthetic hand are as well adjusted psychosocially as their able-bodied peers. There are indications, however, of social stigmata related to the deficiency, which have to be considered differently in boys and girls.

Structured training of children fitted with myoelectric prostheses

This paper presents an occupational therapy method for training children fitted with myoelectric prostheses. It is based upon a structured way of describing the accomplishments of a child fitted with a myoelectric prosthesis, called the Skill Index Ranking Scale (SIRS). By using the SIRS when designing the training session, the therapist can progressively increase the demands presented to the child. Furthermore, the SIRS facilitates for the therapist the documentation and communication of the childs ability with the myoelectric prosthesis.

Validity evidence for a modified version of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Users’ Survey

Purpose: To evaluate the validity of a modified version of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Users’ Survey (OPUS) with persons using different prosthetic and orthotic (P&O) devices.Method: Two-hundred-and-eighty-two adults using prosthesis, orthosis, shoe insoles or orthopaedic shoes completed OPUS. OPUS comprises five modules - Lower and Upper Extremity Functional Status, respectively (LEFS and UEFS), Client Satisfaction with Device and Services, respectively (CSD and CSS), and, Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Eight new items were added to LEFS and six to UEFS. Rasch analysis was used for data analyses.Results: Rating scales functioned satisfactory after some modifications. All modules demonstrated a ceiling effect. Unidimensionality was satisfactory after deleting some items and dividing HRQoL into two subscales, although somewhat weak on CSD and CSS. Item reliability was excellent for all modules and person reliability good for all but CSD and CSS. Some items demonstrated differential item functioning related to sex and age, but the impact on person measures was small.Conclusions: This study supports the validity of a modified version of OPUS for persons using different P&O devices, but also reveals limitations to be addressed in future studies. OPUS could be useful in clinical rehabilitation and research to evaluate P&O outcomes. Implications for Rehabilitation The rehabilitation of individuals with musculoskeletal dysfunction often includes prosthetic or orthotic devices. There is a need for validated instruments to assess the outcomes of prosthetic and orthotic (P&O) interventions. This study provides validity evidence in support of using the Orthotics and Prosthetics Users’ Survey (OPUS) as an outcome measure for P&O interventions.

Validity and test-retest reliability of Children's Hand-use Experience Questionnaire in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.

To investigate the validity of the internet‐based version of the Childrens Hand‐use Experience Questionnaire (CHEQ) by testing the new four‐category rating scale, internal structure, and test–retest reliability.

Test-retest reliability of the Swedish version of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Users' Survey

Background: The Orthotics and Prosthetics Users’ Survey consists of five modules to assess outcomes of orthotic and prosthetic interventions: lower extremity functional status, upper extremity functional status, client satisfaction with device, client satisfaction with services and health-related quality of life. Objectives: To investigate the test–retest reliability and calculate the smallest detectable difference for all modules of the Swedish Orthotics and Prosthetics Users’ Survey. Study design: Test–retest reliability study design. Methods: A total of 69 patients at a Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics completed Orthotics and Prosthetics Users’ Survey on two occasions separated by a 2-week interval, giving 18 answers on lower extremity functional status, 41 on upper extremity functional status, 53 on client satisfaction with device, 12 on client satisfaction with services and 67 answers on health-related quality of life. Raw scores were converted into Orthotics and Prosthetics Users’ Survey units on a 0–100 scale. Intra-class correlation coefficients, Bland–Altman plots, common person linking plots and t-tests of person mean measures were used to investigate the reliability. The 95% confidence level smallest detectable differences were calculated. Results: The intra-class correlation coefficients ranged from 0.77 to 0.96 for the modules, and no systematic differences were detected between the response occasions. The smallest detectable differences ranged from 7.4 to 16.6 units. Conclusions: The test–retest reliability was satisfactory for all Orthotics and Prosthetics Users’ Survey modules. The smallest detectable difference was large on all modules except the health-related quality of life module. Clinical relevance The Orthotics and Prosthetics Users’ Survey modules are reliable and, thus, can be recommended for repeated measurements of patients over time. Relatively large changes are needed to achieve statistical significance when assessing individual patients.

Upper limb deficiencies in Swedish children : a comparison between a population-based and a clinic-based register

OBJECTIVE To validate information in the Swedish Register for Congenital Malformations (SRCM). METHODS A comparison was made with a clinic-based register kept at the Limb Deficiency and Arm Prosthesis Centre (LDAPC). The report frequency and the quality of the information in SRCM were analysed. Cases were classified according to a detailed, clinically relevant classification, the ISO 8548-1:89 method. OUTCOME MEASURES The completeness of SRCM was first estimated. The Kappa statistic was then used to assess the agreement between the two registers regarding individual categories and across all categories. RESULTS For the period 1973-1987, we found 125 cases of upper limb reduction deficiencies (ULRD) in the clinic-based register, of which 117 was found in the national register. The completeness of SRCM was thus estimated to be 94% (95% confidence interval 89-98%). The inter-register agreement varied from almost perfect agreement in laterality of deficiency (Kappa 0.98) to substantial agreement in type and level of deficiency (Kappa 0.72-0.79). For specific levels of transverse deficiency, however, the agreement varied between -0.05 and 0.66. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that SRCM, with its calculated underestimation of 6%, can be used for studying the prevalence of ULRD in Sweden. However, as SRCM is a surveillance register, the quality of some information seems to be low, making detailed description of cases difficult. Use of the population register data for clinical purposes could therefore result in lower validity. Additional information and follow-up of specific cases are therefore recommended.

Influence of standardized activities on validity of Assessment of Capacity for Myoelectric Control

The Assessment of Capacity for Myoelectric Control (ACMC) is an observation-based clinical tool that evaluates ability to control a myoelectric prosthetic hand during bimanual activities. Two validity aspects were investigated: potential bias interaction between prosthesis users and activities performed during assessment, and potential bias interaction between activities and different user characteristics (sex or prosthetic side). Six activities were standardized for the ACMC. Upper-limb myoelectric prosthesis users (47 congenital, 11 acquired; 31 male, 27 female, average age 19.9 yr) performed three standardized activities, each on one occasion. Bias-interaction analysis in the many-facet Rasch model identified inconsistent patterns in the interactions of individual users and activity facets and between activities and user characteristics. The standardized activities had no significant influence on measures of user ability. The activities functioned similarly across both sexes (p-value greater than or equal to0.12) and across both prosthetic sides in persons with upper-limb reduction deficiency (p-value greater than or equal to0.50) and persons with acquired amputation (p-value greater than or equal to0.13). The results provide evidence for the validity of the ACMC across the standardized activities and support use of the ACMC in prosthesis users of both sexes and prosthetic sides. The newly standardized activities are recommended for future ACMC use.