Development and Validation of a Wearable Device to Provide Rich Somatosensory Stimulation for Rehabilitation After Sensorimotor ImpairmentShow others and affiliations
2023 (English)In: IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Circuits and Systems, ISSN 1932-4545, E-ISSN 1940-9990, Vol. 17, no 3, p. 547-557Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Training sensory discrimination of the skin has the potential to reduce chronic pain due to sensorimotor impairments and increase sensorimotor function. Currently, there is no such device that can systematically provide rich skin stimulation suitable for a training protocol for individuals with amputation or major sensory impairment. This study describes the development and validation of a non-invasive wearable device meant to repeatedly and safely deliver somatosensory stimulations. The development was guided by a structured design control process to ensure the verifiability and validity of the design outcomes. Two sub-systems were designed: 1) a tactile display for touch and vibration sensations, and 2) a set of bands for sliding, pressure, and strain sensations. The device was designed with a versatile structure that allows for its application on different body parts. We designed a device-paired interactive computer program to enable structured sensory training sessions. Validation was performed with 11 individuals with intact limbs whose upper arm tactile sensitivity was measured over 5 training sessions. Tactile discrimination and perception threshold were measured using the standard 2-point discrimination and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament tests, respectively. The results of the monofilament test showed a significant improvement (p = 0.011), but the improvement was not significant for the 2-point discrimination test(p = 0.141). These promising results confirm the potential of the proposed training to increase the sensory acuity in the upper arms of individuals with intact limbs. Further studies will be conducted to determine how to transfer the findings of this work to improve the pain and/or functional rehabilitation in individuals with sensorimotor impairments.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) , 2023. Vol. 17, no 3, p. 547-557
Keywords [en]
Functional rehabilitation, plasticity-guided treatment, sensory training, serious games, neurorehabilitation
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences Other Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-334422DOI: 10.1109/TBCAS.2023.3271821ISI: 001029019800013PubMedID: 37126609Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85159814939OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kth-334422DiVA, id: diva2:1789586
Note
QC 20230821
2023-08-212023-08-212023-08-21Bibliographically approved