Ayşe Yazgan

Background: Motor imagery ability (MIA) is a critical cognitive process that enables the mental simulation of movements, facilitating skill acquisition in the use of myoelectric prostheses and their effective control in individuals who have undergone amputation. Although MIA is essential, its impact on upper extremity function and proprioception in myoelectric prosthesis users remains insufficiently studied. Objective: This study aims to evaluate MIA in individuals who have undergone transradial amputation and use myoelectric prostheses, compare it with a healthy control group, and examine its association with upper extremity functionality and proprioception. Methods: This cross-sectional study will include 15 individuals who have undergone transradial amputation (aged 18-65 y) and 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, recruited from prosthetics and orthotics centers in Istanbul, Turkey. Assessments will include MIA, hand mental rotation, upper extremity function, and proprioception. MIA will be measured using the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 and the Mental Chronometry Test. Hand mental rotation ability will be assessed via the Orientate mobile app. Upper extremity function will be evaluated using the Box and Block Test; Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test; and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire. Proprioception will be assessed through joint position sense measurements. All data will undergo appropriate statistical analyses. Results: Data collection began following funding from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey on April 25, 2025. As of November 2025, 8 participants with transradial amputation and 8 healthy controls have been recruited. Assessments are ongoing, and study completion is expected by June 2026. Conclusions: This study will evaluate MIA in individuals who have undergone transradial amputation and use myoelectric prostheses and explore its relationship with upper extremity function and proprioception. The findings are expected to guide the development of targeted rehabilitation strategies, particularly those incorporating motor imagery–based training for this population. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/83787

BACKGROUND Motor imagery ability (MIA) is a critical cognitive process that enables the mental simulation of movements, facilitating skill acquisition in the use of myoelectric prostheses and their effective control in individuals who have undergone amputation. Although MIA is essential, its impact on upper extremity function and proprioception in myoelectric prosthesis users remains insufficiently studied. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate MIA in individuals who have undergone transradial amputation and use myoelectric prostheses, compare it with a healthy control group, and examine its association with upper extremity functionality and proprioception. METHODS This cross-sectional study will include 15 individuals who have undergone transradial amputation (aged 18-65 y) and 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, recruited from prosthetics and orthotics centers in Istanbul, Turkey. Assessments will include MIA, hand mental rotation, upper extremity function, and proprioception. MIA will be measured using the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 and the Mental Chronometry Test. Hand mental rotation ability will be assessed via the Orientate mobile app. Upper extremity function will be evaluated using the Box and Block Test; Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test; and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire. Proprioception will be assessed through joint position sense measurements. All data will undergo appropriate statistical analyses. RESULTS Data collection began following funding from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey on April 25, 2025. As of November 2025, 8 participants with transradial amputation and 8 healthy controls have been recruited. Assessments are ongoing, and study completion is expected by June 2026. CONCLUSIONS This study will evaluate MIA in individuals who have undergone transradial amputation and use myoelectric prostheses and explore its relationship with upper extremity function and proprioception. The findings are expected to guide the development of targeted rehabilitation strategies, particularly those incorporating motor imagery–based training for this population. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/83787

Amaç: Bu çalışmada Türkiye’deki COVID-19 pandemisi ve sosyal izolasyon sırasında alt ekstremite amputelerinin dışarıda geçirdikleri vakit ile fiziksel aktivite seviyelerini raporlamak, protez memnuniyeti ve yaşam kalitesi ile ilişki ve farkını araştırmak amaçlandı. Gereç ve Yöntem: Araştırmaya farklı seviyelerde alt ekstremite amputasyonu olan 77 (K:18, E:59) birey katıldı. Sosyal izolasyon sırasında dışarıda geçirilen vakit, fiziksel aktivite düzeyi (Uluslararası Fiziksel Aktivite Anketi - UFAA), yaşam kalitesi (Nottingham Sağlık Profili Skalası- NSPS) ve protez memnuniyeti (Trinity Amputasyon ve Protez Deneyim Ölçeği - TAPDÖ) çevrimiçi anket aracılığı ile sorgulandı. Sonuçlar: Bireylerin izolasyon sürecinde dışarı çıkma frekansları (gün/hafta), %40,3 (1-3 gün), %24,7 (3-5 gün) ve %35,1 (5-7 gün)’dir. UFAA skorları ile NSPS ve TAPDÖ alt parametrelerinin ilişkili olduğu saptandı (p<0,05). Sosyal izolasyon sırasında dışarıda geçirilen vakit kategorileri arasında NHP fiziksel aktivite skorları ile TAPES kısıtlanmaya uyum, atlatik aktivite kısıtlama, ağırlık memnuniyet ve fonksiyonel memnuniyet sonuçlarında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark bulundu (p<0,05) Tartışma: Covid-19 pandemisi nedenli sosyal izolasyon sırasında fiziksel aktivitenin azalması ile ampute bireylerin yaşam kalitesi ve protez memnuniyetinde azalmaların meydana geldiği bulundu. Sosyal izolasyon sırasında dışarıda geçirilen vaktin artmasının yaşam kalitesi ve protez memnuniyeti üzerinde fark yarattığı görüldü.

BACKGROUND: Clinical outcome assessments provide important input for the rehabilitation of individuals with transfemoral amputation. Differences in prosthetic knee designs may influence clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVE(S): The aim of this study was to compare functional mobility, balance, prosthetic satisfaction and quality of life in individuals with unilateral transfemoral amputation with microprocessor-controlled (MPK) and non-microprocessor knee designs (Non-MPK). METHODOLOGY: The study included ten experienced MPK (Rheo Knee) users (Group 1) and ten experienced Non-MPK (Total Knee® 2000) users (Group 2). For mobility; the 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT), for balance; the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Single Leg Stand Test (SLST) and Four Square Step Test (FSST), for quality of life; the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) and for prosthetic satisfaction; the Satisfaction with Prosthesis Questionnaire (SATPRO) were administered. FINDINGS: 6MWT results of the MPK group were significantly higher than Non-MPK group (p 0.05) comparing balance, prosthesis satisfaction and quality of life values. CONCLUSION: The findings will inform about the patient’s prognosis and the expected clinical outcomes when prescribing an MPK or an Non-MPK. Individuals with unilateral transfemoral amputation covered longer distances using an MPK compared to Non-MPK. Layman's Abstract Individuals living with an amputation above the knee are limited in mobility which effects their quality of life. Specific prosthetic knee designs may have a long-term impact on the quality of life. This study showed that prosthetic users can walk further with the Rheo knee as compared to those who are using the Total Knee® 2000. However, both groups seemed to be equally happy with their quality of life, equally satisfied with their prosthesis, and their balance capabilities appeared to be similar. Article PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/35297/28053 How To Cite: Yazgan A, Kutlutürk S, Lechler K. Clinical outcomes comparing two prosthetic knee designs in individuals with unilateral transfemoral amputation in Turkey. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2021;Volume 4, Issue 1, No.8. https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v4i1.35297 Corresponding Author: Ayse Yazgan,1) Össur Turkey Academy, Istanbul, Turkey; 2) İstanbul Medipol University Orthotics - Prosthetics Master of Science Program, Istanbul, Turkey.E-Mail: ayazgan@ossur.com ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0744-503X