4.2 User Assessment

Prior to the fitting of the hand the subjects are measured using various assessment tools. These are based around form-board tests using abstract objects as well as simulated activities of daily living. The tests are designed to use the full range of grip forms that are possible with the natural hand in the proportions that are used in natural gripping activities, this will then allow the functionality of a prosthesis to be gauged. They will then be repeated after at least six months of use of the hands. By this point the use of the SAMS hand should be fully automatic and the tests will be of the hands capabilities rather than the users’ adaptability.

The subjects chosen cover the full range of possible users. They have losses due to congenital malformation as well as through traumatic amputation. Some users will be familiar with electric hands while others will have never used them. In this way it is hoped it will be possible to assess how easy it is to learn and use the hand system.

The additional advantage of a computer based system is that the device can be reprogrammed to behave in any particular manner. For example, the control of the Leverhulme hand can be replaced by a simpler system, similar to the users more conventional control so that the functionality of the control system itself can be compared without the differences of the prosthesis itself becoming an obstacle.