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The Influence of 3D Printed Prostheses on Neural Activation Patterns

Sponsor: University of Nebraska • ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04110730

Registry updated: 2026-10-19

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Description

The neural basis underlying motor performance in children using a prosthesis has been severely understudied resulting in minimal empirical evidence. The use of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in conjunction with customized and visually appealing 3D printed prostheses would provide the unique opportunity to quantitatively assess the influence of upper-limb prostheses in the neural activation patterns of the primary motor cortex and motor performance of children. This information would increase the investigators limited knowledge of how prosthesis usage influences the primary motor cortex of growing children and use this information to develop rehabilitation programs aimed at reducing prosthesis rejection and abandonment.

Interventions

3D Printed Upper-limb Prosthesis (Device)
The fingers and thumb were made of polylactic acid polymer manufactured using industrial 3D printers. The palm, socket, forearm brace, and leveraging structure were made of polylactic acid which has properties similar to thermoplastic that facilitate post manufacturing adjustments. Elastic cords placed inside the dorsal aspect of the fingers provided passive finger extension. Finger flexion was driven by non-elastic cords along the palmar surface of each finger and was activated through 20-30 degrees of wrist or elbow flexion.
Home Intervention (Behavioral)
An occupational therapy student will perform 3 home visits a week and will direct a training protocol that consists of completing three trials of a series of 6 block building activities (i.e., block-stacking) for each hand separated by 30 seconds of rest (a total of 18 block building activities per hand). The block stacking activity consists in building a 4 block train, 3 cube bridge, 4 block wall, 3 block tower, 6 block steps, and 6 block pyramid. All subjects including the control group will perform the same home training protocol.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 3-18 years. * Individuals missing any digits, hand, arm, shoulder. * Any dysfunction of the upper limbs. Exclusion Criteria: * Participants who are outside of age range. * Participants with upper extremity injury within the past month. * Medical conditions which would be contraindications to wear a prosthetic or assistive device, Such as skin abrasions and musculoskeletal injuries in the upper limbs.

Conditions

Amniotic Band Syndrome Upper Extremity Deformities, Congenital

Locations

University of Nebraska at Omaha — Omaha, Nebraska, United States

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Official Source

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

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