Do users want to receive a DEKA Arm and why? Overall findings from the Veterans Affairs Study to optimize the DEKA Arm.

BACKGROUND: The purposes of this article are (1) to report on the overall desirability of the DEKA Arm by prototype and by level of prosthesis, (2) to report on user-perceived benefits of the DEKA Arm as compared to their current prostheses, and (3) to summarize user concerns about taking the device home.

STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative content analysis of data from a multiple case study design.

METHODS: This study utilized data from 24 upper-limb amputees fit with a Gen 2 DEKA Arm and 13 fit with a Gen 3 DEKA Arm. Surveys were administered after fitting the DEKA Arm and at the end of training. Subjects recorded audiotaped comments about their experiences. All study sessions were videotaped.

RESULTS: In all, 79% of Gen 2 and 85% of Gen 3 users indicated that either they wanted to receive or might want to receive a DEKA Arm. In total, 95% of Gen 2 and 91% of Gen 3 prior prosthesis users reported that they were able to perform new activities that they were unable to perform with their own device.

CONCLUSIONS: A large majority of subjects wanted a DEKA Arm, although desirability varied by amputation level.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The majority of amputees in this study expressed a desire to receive the DEKA Arm, a device which provides multiple powered degrees of freedom and is operated predominantly by foot controls. The majority reported functional advantages of the DEKA Arm over their existing prostheses.