Tendon-actuated prosthetic hand with adaptive force distribution improved task performance and reduced effort in healthy participants.

This comparative observational study evaluated task performance and user experience in 12 participants without limb difference. The intervention involved a Tendon Actuated Prosthetic Hand (TAPH) integrating human-derived geometry with adaptive force distribution, compared against a structurally similar tendon-actuated hand with generalized anthropomorphic geometry. No adverse events or discontinuations were reported, though specific tolerability data were not provided.

Regarding primary outcomes, task performance was significantly improved with the TAPH compared to the comparator. Secondary outcomes showed reduced physical effort, mental workload, and frustration with the TAPH. However, task performance for fine motor tasks demonstrated mixed results: it improved under stable conditions but did not improve during tasks requiring dynamic precision and continuous coordination.

Key limitations include the small sample size of 12 participants and the fact that all participants were healthy individuals without limb difference. Consequently, performance improvements observed during dynamic precision tasks were not achieved, and the study design is observational, precluding causal conclusions. The practice relevance suggests that biomimetic principles may enhance performance and user experience, but clinicians should interpret these findings cautiously given the specific population and task conditions tested.