Article
A method for evaluating timeliness and accuracy of volitional motor responses to vibrotactile stimuli
Journal of Visualized Experiments
(2016)
Abstract
Artificial sensory feedback (ASF) systems can be used to compensate for lost proprioception in individuals with lower-limb impairments. Effective design of these ASF systems requires an in-depth understanding of how the parameters of specific feedback mechanism affect user perception and reaction to stimuli. This article presents a method for applying vibrotactile stimuli to human participants and measuring their response. Rotating mass vibratory motors are placed at pre-defined locations on the participant's thigh, and controlled through custom hardware and software. The speed and accuracy of participants' volitional responses to vibrotactile stimuli are measured for researcher-specified combinations of motor placement and vibration frequency. While the protocol described here uses push-buttons to collect a simple binary response to the vibrotactile stimuli, the technique can be extended to other response mechanisms using inertial measurement units or pressure sensors to measure joint angle and weight bearing ratios, respectively. Similarly, the application of vibrotactile stimuli can be explored for body segments other than the thigh.
Disciplines
Publication Date
August, 2016
DOI
10.3791/54223
Publisher Statement
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Citation Information
Matthew Leineweber, Sam Shi and Jan Andrysek. "A method for evaluating timeliness and accuracy of volitional motor responses to vibrotactile stimuli" Journal of Visualized Experiments Vol. 2 Iss. 114 (2016) ISSN: 1940-087X Available at: http://works.bepress.com/matthew-leineweber/4/