Browsing by Author "Hill, Wendy"

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Open Access
Assessment And Validation Of The Unb Test Of Prosthetics Function
(2011) Karosan, Eric; Kuruganti, Usha; Hill, Wendy; Kyberd, Peter
This paper focuses on the assessment and validation of the UNB test of prosthetics function. There is a constant need to stay up to date with forms of assessment, as assistive devices become more intuitive and precise enabling better control and movement. Due to these advancements in therapy, technology, and education, the UNB test of prosthetics function is subject to redesign in order to better evaluate the usage, function, and training of present day users of prosthetic arms. The aim of this study is to re-evaluate the current protocol to determine any modifications that may be necessary to comply with current standards of practice. The revised test will then be validated through the use of various clinics and users.
Open Access
Upper Limb Prosthetic Outcome Measures (ULPOM) Group
(2008) Kyberd, Peter; Hill, Wendy
In recent years there has been a sea change in the field of hand prosthetics, an increasing number of clinicians and researchers have a desire to be able to objectively measure the functional effectiveness of a prosthesis, or the ability of a user with their device. The problem has been that there are many tools to measure the function of hands and arms, but few seem appropriate to prosthetics. Also the tools that do exist seem to have conflicting aims and methods, so it is hard to choose the appropriate test. If practitioners have no meaningful way to test if a device is better for one user (compared with another device), they have no easy way to demonstrate to funders or providers that one solution is more effective than any other. Similarly, they lack a common language to simply pass on their professional judgement to their colleagues. What does exist is an array of different tools for measuring different aspects of prosthetic design, function and use. There is little standardisation between centres in the same country, let alone across borders and seas. Worse, there is evidence that existing techniques are being invalidated (conceivably through ignorance, and definitely due to pressures of time to conduct a truly systematic study). To save time, or effort, fully validated tests are being shortened, or favoured sub tests are being selected from the greater whole, so that the results obtained are incomplete, invalid, or simply wrong.
Open Access
Using multiple outcome measures to determine skill level in myoelectric prosthesis use
(2011) Bouwsema, Hanneke; Kyberd, Peter J.; Hill, Wendy; van der Sluis, Corry K.; Bongers, Raoul M.
Most studies on prosthesis usage focus merely on one type of outcome measures, using questionnaires, functional tests, or kinematics. However, a combination of several outcome measures should provide a better picture on prosthesis use (Hill et al. 2009, Lindner et al. 2010, Wright 2009). Using both clinical and more fundamental measures (such as kinematics) would not only provide information about the skill level of a prosthesis user, but would also give insight in the processes from which the level of skill originates. To maximize the insight in the skill level of a prosthesis user the current study gauged a wide range of outcome measures. The aims of this study were 1) to describe prosthetic functioning at different levels of performance; 2) to relate the results of the clinical level to the more fundamental outcome measures; 3) to identify specific parameters in these measures that characterize the level of skill of a user.