title: Impact of Michelangelo prosthetic hand: Findings from a crossover longitudinal study.
abstract: This work explores the functional and psychosocial impact of the multigrip Michelangelo (M) prosthetic hand. Transradial myoelectric prosthesis users (6 men, median age: 47 y) participated in a crossover longitudinal study. A multifactorial assessment protocol was applied before the application of M and after 3 mo (functional assessment) and 6 mo (psychosocial assessment) of home use. Functional assessment included both practical tests (i.e., Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure [SHAP], Box and Blocks Test [BBT], and Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test [MMDT]) and self-report functional scales. Psychosocial assessment consisted of a clinical interview and a battery of self-report questionnaires concerning current anxious-depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life, body image concerns, adjustment and satisfaction with prosthesis, social support, coping style, and personality. Increased manual dexterity was observed after 3 mo based on improvements in the SHAP, BBT, and MMDT. Two important themes emerged from the clinical interviews at the 6 mo follow-up: (1) the enhanced functionality and (2) the "like a real hand" aspect of the M, which further increased prosthesis integration to the Self. A few patients expressed concerns about M dimension, noise, and weight. The M appeared to restore hand function and natural appearance. The present findings provide preliminary evidence, and additional studies are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy;
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luchetti
authors.forename: Andrea G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Cutti
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Verni
authors.forename: Rinaldo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sacchetti
authors.forename: Nicolino
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rossi
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001186:Artificial Limbs / Q000523:psychology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011788:Quality of Life; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: amputation; crossover study; functional assessment; longitudinal design; manual dexterity; multidisciplinary approach; prosthesis; psychosocial assessment; technology assessment; upper limb