Clinical results of an investigation of paediatric upper limb myoelectric prosthesis fitting at the Quebec rehabilitation institute

This study was designed to investigate the satisfaction level of young users of myoelectric prostheses who received an upper limb myoelectric prosthesis, to assess their dropout rate and to identify which factors influence the use or non-use of the upper limb myoelectric prosthesis in the eastern part of Quebec (Canada). The users were fitted between 1990 and 1999 at the Quebec Rehabilitation Institute, a major rehabilitation centre located in the province of Quebec. This rehabilitation centre provides cutting-edge expertise not only for the eastern part of Quebec, but also across the entire province, because it is one of only two highly specialised centres serving all of Quebec.

A literature review was completed to compile the results obtained in other rehabilitation centres and to identify factors influencing the use or non-use of paediatric upper limb myoelectric prostheses. The Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST) was used in order to assess the degree to which the children were satisfied with their prostheses.

Eighteen (18) children were fitted and trained to use an upper limb myoelectric prosthesis. A total of 10 children and parents agreed to participate. Some 80% of participants said that they were satisfied with their prostheses. A dropout rate of 53% for the overall group (participants and non-participants) seems high compared with that of other studies. Recommendations linked to factors identified in the literature are made. The authors conclude that a multidisciplinary team and structured training and follow-up can improve the clinical results pertaining to all the factors proposed in the literature.