In the first known study of how amputees use advanced sensory-enabled prostheses outside the lab, subjects used a sensory-enabled hand more regularly and for longer periods of time compared to traditional prostheses—and also reported a greater sense of psychosocial well-being.

In fact, the study asserts that sensory feedback—achieved by direct interfaces attached to the nerves —fundamentally changed how the study participants used their mechanical attachment, “transforming it from a sporadically used tool into a readily and frequently used ‘hand.’”

This breakthrough home use trial was published by APT Center Investigators and staff, including lead researcher Dustin Tyler, PhD, and Emily Graczyk, PhD, Matthew Schiefer, PhD, and Melissa Schmitt, RN in the June issue of Scientific Reports.

Full length original stories can be found at the Daily and various news outlets.