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Transfer of tactile input from an artificial hand to the forearm: experiments in amputees and able-bodied volunteers

Antfolk, Christian LU ; Cipriani, Christian ; Carozza, Maria Chiara ; Balkenius, Christian LU orcid ; Björkman, Anders LU ; Lundborg, Göran LU ; Rosén, Birgitta LU and Sebelius, Fredrik LU orcid (2013) In Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology 8(3). p.249-254
Abstract
Abstract in Undetermined
Purpose:
This study explores the possibilities of transferring peripheral tactile stimulations from an artificial hand to the forearm skin.

Method:
A tactile display applied to the forearm skin was used to transfer tactile input to the forearm from various locations on a hand displayed on a computer screen. Discernment of location, levels of pressure and a combination of the two in simulated functional grips was tested to quantify the participants' ability to accurately perceive the tactile stimulations presented. Ten participants (5 forearm amputees and 5 able-bodied volunteers) unfamiliar with the equipment participated in the three-stage experiments comprising a learning session with vision,... (More)
Abstract in Undetermined
Purpose:
This study explores the possibilities of transferring peripheral tactile stimulations from an artificial hand to the forearm skin.

Method:
A tactile display applied to the forearm skin was used to transfer tactile input to the forearm from various locations on a hand displayed on a computer screen. Discernment of location, levels of pressure and a combination of the two in simulated functional grips was tested to quantify the participants' ability to accurately perceive the tactile stimulations presented. Ten participants (5 forearm amputees and 5 able-bodied volunteers) unfamiliar with the equipment participated in the three-stage experiments comprising a learning session with vision, a reinforced learning session without vision and a validation session without vision.

Results:
The location discernment accuracy was high in both groups (75.2% and 89.6% respectively). The capacity to differentiate between three different levels of pressure was also high (91.7% and 98.1% respectively in the two groups). Recognition of simulated grip was slightly more difficult with the groups scoring 58.7% and 68.0% respectively for accuracy in the validation session.

Conclusions:
This study demonstrates that it is possible, following a brief training period, to transfer tactile input from an artificial hand to the forearm skin. The level of accuracy was lower for the more complex task, simulated grip recognition, possibly because this represents a more complex task requiring higher order brain functions. These results could form the basis for developing sensory feedback in hand prostheses. [Box: see text]. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology
volume
8
issue
3
pages
249 - 254
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • pmid:22928878
  • scopus:84871985797
  • pmid:22928878
ISSN
1748-3115
DOI
10.3109/17483107.2012.713435
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
26fb0dcd-b653-49eb-9f34-0189d7acfd5b (old id 4252201)
alternative location
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22928878?dopt=Abstract
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 13:04:42
date last changed
2022-03-21 08:28:06
@article{26fb0dcd-b653-49eb-9f34-0189d7acfd5b,
  abstract     = {{Abstract in Undetermined<br/>Purpose:<br/>This study explores the possibilities of transferring peripheral tactile stimulations from an artificial hand to the forearm skin.<br/><br/>Method:<br/>A tactile display applied to the forearm skin was used to transfer tactile input to the forearm from various locations on a hand displayed on a computer screen. Discernment of location, levels of pressure and a combination of the two in simulated functional grips was tested to quantify the participants' ability to accurately perceive the tactile stimulations presented. Ten participants (5 forearm amputees and 5 able-bodied volunteers) unfamiliar with the equipment participated in the three-stage experiments comprising a learning session with vision, a reinforced learning session without vision and a validation session without vision.<br/><br/>Results:<br/>The location discernment accuracy was high in both groups (75.2% and 89.6% respectively). The capacity to differentiate between three different levels of pressure was also high (91.7% and 98.1% respectively in the two groups). Recognition of simulated grip was slightly more difficult with the groups scoring 58.7% and 68.0% respectively for accuracy in the validation session.<br/><br/>Conclusions:<br/>This study demonstrates that it is possible, following a brief training period, to transfer tactile input from an artificial hand to the forearm skin. The level of accuracy was lower for the more complex task, simulated grip recognition, possibly because this represents a more complex task requiring higher order brain functions. These results could form the basis for developing sensory feedback in hand prostheses. [Box: see text].}},
  author       = {{Antfolk, Christian and Cipriani, Christian and Carozza, Maria Chiara and Balkenius, Christian and Björkman, Anders and Lundborg, Göran and Rosén, Birgitta and Sebelius, Fredrik}},
  issn         = {{1748-3115}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{249--254}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology}},
  title        = {{Transfer of tactile input from an artificial hand to the forearm: experiments in amputees and able-bodied volunteers}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/17483107.2012.713435}},
  doi          = {{10.3109/17483107.2012.713435}},
  volume       = {{8}},
  year         = {{2013}},
}