Technologies to Train Myoelectric Prosthesis Users for Optimal Functional Outcomes

Few tools are available to help individuals learn to user upper extremity powered prosthetic limbs. However, providing proper training and therapy is a critical component to the rehabilitation process and can often mean the difference between success or abandonment of the device. In this proposal, we build on our substantial previous work to provide a manufacturer agnostic hardware tool and intuitive software environment specifically designed to provide training and therapy. The hardware already supports use of all popular amplitude control methods and also implements pattern recognition based myoelectric control strategies. Our proposed hardware is simple to use and is capable of being the mechanism to control the actual prosthetic hardware. This allows for comprehensive logging of user statistics to measure improvements provided through the patient training. The proposed virtual environment games are rooted in years of research and may be used to provide quantitative and objective measures of progression through the rehabilitation process.