A User-Driven Approach to Prosthetic Upper Limb Development in Korea

Quality of life in young people with limb loss: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Life after any amputation can be significantly altered and can have a significant impact on quality of life (QoL). However, most of the evidence base involves older aged amputees, therefore there is a lack of understanding about the impact of amputation on QoL and the factors that predict QoL in younger amputees. The aim of this review is to identify the factors that predict QoL in young amputees.

METHODS

MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science were searched to identify articles that measured QoL in young amputees. Articles were independently assessed by two assessors. Data was extracted from the selected articles and a narrative synthesis performed.

RESULTS

18 articles were included in this review. QoL outcome measures varied between studies. The quality of evidence was generally low. This review identified, gender, age, cause of amputation, level of amputation, phantom pain, ability to use a prosthesis, physical function, depression, anxiety, body image, type of prosthesis as predictors of QoL.

CONCLUSION

This review identified modifiable and non-modifiable predictors of QoL in young amputees. Future research needs to focus on exploring the modifiable predictors of QoL as these are the aspects that can be improved to enhance QoL.

Advances in prosthetic technology: a perspective on ethical considerations for development and clinical translation

Technological advancements of prostheses in recent years, such as haptic feedback, active power, and machine learning for prosthetic control, have opened new doors for improved functioning, satisfaction, and overall quality of life. However, little attention has been paid to ethical considerations surrounding the development and translation of prosthetic technologies into clinical practice. This article, based on current literature, presents perspectives surrounding ethical considerations from the authors' multidisciplinary views as prosthetists (HG, AM, CLM, MGF), as well as combined research experience working directly with people using prostheses (AM, CLM, MGF), wearable technologies for rehabilitation (MGF, BN), machine learning and artificial intelligence (BN, KKQ), and ethics of advanced technologies (KKQ). The target audience for this article includes developers, manufacturers, and researchers of prosthetic devices and related technology. We present several ethical considerations for current advances in prosthetic technology, as well as topics for future research, that may inform product and policy decisions and positively influence the lives of those who can benefit from advances in prosthetic technology.

Use of machine learning in the field of prosthetics and orthotics: A systematic narrative review

Although machine learning is not yet being used in clinical practice within the fields of prosthetics and orthotics, several studies on the use of prosthetics and orthotics have been conducted. We intend to provide relevant knowledge by conducting a systematic review of prior studies on using machine learning in the fields of prosthetics and orthotics. We searched the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Cochrane, Embase, and Scopus databases and retrieved studies published until July 18, 2021. The study included the application of machine learning algorithms to upper-limb and lower-limb prostheses and orthoses. The criteria of the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool were used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. A total of 13 studies were included in this systematic review. In the realm of prostheses, machine learning has been used to identify prosthesis, select an appropriate prosthesis, train after wearing the prosthesis, detect falls, and manage the temperature in the socket. In the field of orthotics, machine learning was used to control real-time movement while wearing an orthosis and predict the need for an orthosis. The studies included in this systematic review are limited to the algorithm development stage. However, if the developed algorithms are actually applied to clinical practice, it is expected that it will be useful for medical staff and users to handle prosthesis and orthosis.

Golf and Health, More than 18 Holes—A Bibliometric Analysis

Despite golf’s contribution to health, scientific production related to golf and health has been relatively scarce. This work aims to investigate the state of the art on golf and health and to identify existing gaps and the principal and most notable potential future research trends, contributing to connecting the reality of the facilities dedicated to the practice of this sport and its contribution to raising awareness of the importance of sport in maintaining health. A total of 179 articles were analyzed following the steps for systematic reviews and meta-analysis protocols based on the PRISMA 2020 methodology and QUORUM, and a bibliometric analysis was carried out. Research to date has mainly focused on the benefits of golf in improving health, preventing illness, slowing down aging, or as rehabilitation and on exploring the risks and injuries involved in playing golf. The different ways of promoting participation or changing the image of golf by showing its healthy side are outlined as research trends in the coming years. There is a lack of exploration of the use of technology, the effects of the sport on certain disorders related to psychosocial factors, and further knowledge of the relationships between playing intentions and health. This research provides essential information for researchers who plan to work with golf in the future.