Tactile assessment and feedback in neurorehabilitation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Tactile assessment and feedback in the neurorehabilitation of the hand
IRAS ID
182586
Contact name
Etienne Burdet
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Sensation in the hand is required not only to modulate appropriate grip forces but also to aid motor learning. Following neurological or orthopaedic injuries the ability to feel and process sensory stimulation in the hand can be impaired. This, along with motor deficits can severely restrict the functional use of the hand.
As part of the rehabilitation and assessment process for patients, clinicians measure sensory function in the hand. Results from the assessment are used to tract changes in the person’s condition and also direct appropriate treatment, including sensory re-education. However, results from standardized clinical sensory assessments e.g.. Rivermead assessment of somatosensory performance or the Nottingham sensory assessment are dependent upon the skill of the person delivering the test and information produced is subjective. Also to date the effectiveness of sensory retraining has not been investigated systematically.
In order to aid diagnosis, tract changes in sensation and direct appropriate treatment a more standardized assessment is needed. This may be achieved by using a rehabilitation robot. Compared with the standardized assessments a machine assessment allows more control of the experimental parameters such as contact forces. Therefore the machine system should be able to increase the reliability of the test results. This study therefore aims to evaluate the reliability of a robotic system in assessing sensory impairment in persons with neurological and orthopaedic injuries affecting the sensory systems of the hand.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1852
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion