journal article·2025-04-29Open access

Prosthesis Embodiment in Lower Extremity Limb Loss: A Narrative Review

Tuyet Thao Nguyen, Bingjie Wang, Haddy Alas, Quincy Jones, Chase Clark, Sabrina Lazar, Shaddy Malik, Joshua Graham, Yasmeen Talaat, Chris Shin, Jonathon Schofield, Toran Macleod, Laduan Smedley, Clifford Pereira, Wilsaan Joiner, R. Lor Randall, Diana Farmer, Aijun Wang, Dake Hao, Spencer Greene, Ravi Sood, Danielle Brown, Rachel Russo, Kingsley Manoharan, Andrew Simpkins, Andrew Li

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 9

Abstract

Lower limb prosthesis abandonment is a significant challenge, leading to reliance on walking aids, such as wheelchairs, which frequently do not match the patient’s needs and lead to increased morbidity. Prosthesis abandonment is driven by a lack of embodiment, the latter defined as the integration of a prosthetic device into one’s body schema. This review evaluates interventions enhancing embodiment through three dimensions: ownership, agency, and co-location. The aim of this narrative review is to ask what interventions are available to improve embodiment, and what dimensions of embodiment should be included in the standard of care for lower-limb amputation surgery and componentry development. This narrative is constructed through a thorough literature search on how the aforementioned dimensions of embodiment can be optimized. In the studies reviewed, standardization of embodiment metrics and longitudinal data are lacking, hindering clinical translation. Future work must prioritize patient-centered design, integrate multidimensional assessments, and address practical issues to expand eligibility for advanced interventions.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Muscle activation and electromyography studies · Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Robotics · Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

School of Medicine, University of California Davis, 4610 X St, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 351 Engineering Terrace, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, USA

Department of Surgery, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA

Albany Medical College, 43 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA

School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephen’s Green, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA

Prosthesis Embodiment Through Intuitive Technology (PETIT), University of California Davis Health, Davis, CA 95616, USA

Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA

Department of Physical Therapy, California State University, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA

Division of Plastic Surgery, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95816, USA

Department of Neuroengineering, Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA

Department of Surgery, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA

Department of Bioengineering, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA

Hanger Clinic, 1248 32nd Street, Sacramento, CA 95816, USA

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