Artificial tactile feedback systems can improveprosthetic function for people with amputation by substitutingfor lost proprioception in the missing limb. However, limiteddata exists to guide the design and application of these systemsfor mobility and balance scenarios. The purpose of this studywas to evaluate the performance of a noninvasive artificial sensoryfeedback (ASF) system on lowerlimb function in thepresence of a cognitive load and a liner interface. Reactiontimes (RTs) and accuracy of legmovement responses to vibratorystimuli at the thigh were recorded for 12 nondisabled individualsand 3 participants with transfemoral amputation usinga custombuilt testing apparatus. The results indicate that theaddition of a cognitive load increases response times relative tothe baseline condition by 0.26 to 0.33 s. The prosthetic linerproduced a less pronounced increase in RT of 0.06 to 0.11 s.Participants were able to correctly identify the stimulus locationwith nearly 100% accuracy. These increased RTs are nontrivialand must be considered in designing ASF systems.
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