Article

Artificial tactile feedback systems can improve prosthetic function for people
with amputation by substituting for lost proprioception in the missing limb.
However, limited data exists to guide the design and application of these systems
for mobility and balance scenarios. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the
performance of a noninvasive artificial sensory feedback
(ASF) system on
lower-limb function in the presence of a cognitive load and a liner interface.
Reaction times (RTs) and accuracy of leg-movement responses to vibratory stimuli
at the thigh were recorded for 12 nondisabled individuals and 3 participants with
transfemoral amputation using a custom-built testing apparatus. The results
indicate that the addition of a cognitive load increases response times relative
to the baseline condition by 0.26 to 0.33 s. The prosthetic liner produced a less
pronounced increase in RT of 0.06 to 0.11 s. Participants were able to correctly
identify the stimulus location with nearly 100% accuracy. These increased RTs are
nontrivial and must be considered in designing ASF systems.

Langue : ANGLAIS