Abstract:
An important part of the design process is to be able to identify the needs of a target population. Once incorporated into the desigrts the information can then be incorporated in to the measurement of the success of the design. This study forms part of the design phase for an advanced artificial arm system (TOMPAW).
The survey sought to assess the attitudes and requirements of the user who attend the centres were the project takes place. It was a postal questionnaire sent to adult users at three centres. The questionnaire consisted of both open and closed questions asking the subjects about their use and aftitudes to their prostheses. The study builds on an earlier survey conducted in the UK and Italy and it enabled a wider comparison to be made.