Functional abilities and desires for a bionic prosthesis in children with unilateral congenital below-elbow deficiency: An observational study.

BACKGROUND

A better understanding of the abilities and difficulties of children with unilateral congenital below-elbow deficiency, and the functional abilities they would like to improve by using a bionic prosthesis would inform the development and prescription of bionic prostheses.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to describe the functional abilities and desires for bionic prosthetic assistance of children with unilateral congenital below-elbow deficiency.

STUDY

DESIGN

Preliminary, retrospective, cross-sectional, observational single-centre study.

METHODS

Eight children with unilateral congenital below-elbow deficiency were included (7 girls and 1 boy), with a median (Q1-Q3) age of 10.6 (10.1-11.4) years. We used the Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire to assess difficulties with activities of daily living and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure to determine the child's needs and desires in terms of a bionic prosthesis. Descriptive statistics were conducted.

RESULTS

The children were able to perform most activities of daily living but had difficulty with bimanual tasks. Most limitations related to schoolwork. The children described 35 significant activities that they desired a bionic prosthesis to facilitate: 15 related to leisure/sports, 5 to productivity and 15 to self-care activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with unilateral congenital below-elbow deficiency can perform many activities of daily living and sports and leisure activities without a prosthesis; however, they desire to improve their performance of these activities. Activities that are of particular importance to them include personal care and sports and leisure activities.