The Technological and Psychological Aspects of Upper Limb Prostheses Abandonment: A Narrative Review

The loss of a limb is an event that significantly affects an individual’s quality of life, with implications not only for autonomy in daily activities but also for their ability to interact with others. At the same time, current prostheses often fail to meet the user’s needs, resulting in high drop-out rates. In this review, we investigated the primary causes of prosthesis abandonment and analyzed them by highlighting the technological and psychological aspects associated with current devices. Technological issues due to reliability, functionality and comfort, together with psychological issues related to anxiety and depression, are among the main factors contributing to prosthesis rejection. Social aspects, sport, and community activities play crucial roles in improving the sense of belonging and acceptance of prosthesis users. Although research has often prioritized functionality, prosthesis development should follow patient-centered models that address the individual needs and requirements of patients, emphasizing psychological, rehabilitative, and technological support.