The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF) was awarded a $481,444 Project Grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), under the Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.865), to conduct research on improving locomotor outcomes for persons with lower limb loss using an innovative Agonist-Antagonist Myoneural Interface (AMI) surgical technique. The research aims to quantify the impacts of the AMI technique on gait mechanics, tripping recovery, and prosthesis embodiment when using a conventional prosthesis, rather than a specialized neuroprosthesis. The 2-year project, beginning on August 1, 2024, will prospectively compare outcomes between individuals who have undergone the AMI surgical procedure and those with traditional amputations. Key metrics include gait smoothness, residual limb muscle activations, and self-reported prosthesis embodiment during walking and perturbation recovery. This research is expected to provide preliminary evidence on the near-term, pragmatic benefits of the AMI technique for improving locomotion and fall risk for amputees who do not have access to advanced neuroprosthetic devices.
Generated 3/4/25, 8:43 AM