# Cognitive Load Measurement during Neuromyoelectric Prosthesis Use with Sensory Feedback and Intuitive Motor Control

> **NIH NIH F31** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2020 · $33,603

## Abstract

Project Summary
 The primary goal of the proposed work is to determine whether sensory feedback and extended use
reduce the cognitive load for controlling an advanced dexterous and sensorized prosthetic limb. Prosthetic
technologies for upper-limb amputees are advancing rapidly. The physical improvements involve two
components: the robotic limb and the neuromuscular interface. Despite innovations promising increased
prosthetic function, high abandonment rates (up to 50%) are seen with upper-limb prostheses. The scientific
community is developing advanced control paradigms providing more intuitive control and using haptic sensors
to restore the sense of touch. These advancements have the potential to improve satisfaction rates and reduce
abandonment rates; however, current metrics do not consider user effort, which is necessary in determining a
viable product. Improvements to prosthetic systems, whether through more intuitive control paradigms or sensory
feedback are typically quantified through performance in tasks that may or may not represent typical daily
activities. Although these metrics are useful, they do not necessarily reflect the preferences of the end-user.
Although a particular system may enable fine control, the effort required to achieve such control may be
prohibitive to routine use, resulting in a nonviable product. Thus, incorporating measures of effort, herein
described as cognitive load, can more completely inform the desirable characteristics of a prosthetic system.
 The main objective of this proposal is to measure cognitive load during prosthesis use. We propose to
adapt cognitive load measures used in other fields (e.g., driving research) to our research with advanced
neuromyoelectric prostheses. Our first aim is to develop a robust method for measuring cognitive load through
physiological, behavioral, and subject measures, including pupillometry, electrocardiography, and
electroencephalography (Aim 1). Aim 1 will expose the advantages and limitations of specific cognitive load
measures in prosthetic research. We will then apply these methods to determine if sensory feedback can reduce
cognitive load during prosthetic use (Aim 2). Aim 2 elucidates the usefulness of sensory feedback in prosthesis
use, a current thrust in the field. Lastly, we will determine if cognitive load decreases during extended (six months)
at-home use of an advanced neuromyoelectric prosthesis (Aim 3). Aim 3 will provide the first exploration of the
cognitive effects of using an advanced prosthesis in a home setting for an extended period.
 Success in these aims will establish a fundamentally different yet essential pathway for assessing the
viability of prosthesis advancements in a patient-centric manner. Documented effectiveness of sensory feedback
and long-term use in prosthetic control is not only of scientific interest, but are also requisite for translating these
advanced prosthetic technologies to clinical acceptance and use. Altogether, this p...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10068704
- **Project number:** 1F31NS118938-01
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** MICHAEL DAVID PASKETT
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $33,603
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10068704

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10068704, Cognitive Load Measurement during Neuromyoelectric Prosthesis Use with Sensory Feedback and Intuitive Motor Control (1F31NS118938-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10068704. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*