Better ways to measure arm and hand function after an upper limb amputation
Advancing measurement of physical function in upper limb amputation
This project is improving questionnaires and short performance tests to more accurately track how people with upper limb amputations use prosthetic arms and hands.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Providence VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11220692 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, you may be asked to complete short patient-reported questionnaires about everyday tasks and to perform simple timed or functional tasks while using your prosthesis. The research team is refining three condition-specific measures they developed (including the UEFS-P, a PROMIS upper-extremity version, and the AM-ULA) to reduce burden and fix problems like floor effects and poor reliability. They will collect standardized data in clinic visits and may test shortened forms and scoring methods calibrated for people with upper limb amputation. The goal is to make tools that work well for both one-handed and two-handed task users and that can be used in routine care and research.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with an upper limb amputation who use or are evaluated for a prosthesis (including one-handed and two-handed task users) are the ideal candidates for this work.
Not a fit: People without upper limb amputation, those who do not use a prosthesis, or individuals unable to complete questionnaires or simple performance tasks may not benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could give clinicians shorter, more accurate tools to track function and guide prosthetic rehabilitation.
How similar studies have performed: The team has already produced promising patient-reported and performance measures with some evidence of validity and reliability, but earlier versions showed limitations that this project aims to fix.
Where this research is happening
Providence, United States
- Providence VA Medical Center — Providence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Resnik, Linda J. — Providence VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Resnik, Linda J.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.