RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Setup of a Novel Biofeedback Prototype for Sensorimotor Control of the Hand and Preliminary Application in Patients With Peripheral Nerve Injuries
JF Demo Journal of Physical Therapy
FD HighWire Press
SP 168
OP 178
DO 10.demo/ptj.20120050
VO 93
IS 2
A1 Chiu, Haw-Yen
A1 Hsu, Hsiu-Yun
A1 Su, Fong-Chin
A1 Jou, I-Ming
A1 Lin, Cheng-Feng
A1 Kuo, Li-Chieh
YR 2013
UL http://demo.highwire.org/content/93/2/168.abstract
AB Background Biofeedback training is widely used for rehabilitative intervention in patients with central or peripheral nervous impairment to train correct movement patterns; however, no biofeedback apparatus is currently available to correct pinch force ratios for patients with sensory deficiencies.Design A cross-sectional and longitudinal design was used in an observational measurement study for establishing a prototype and to determine the effects of biofeedback intervention, respectively.Objective This study aimed to develop a computerized evaluation and re-education biofeedback (CERB) prototype for application in clinical settings.Methods A CERB prototype was developed integrating pinch apparatus hardware, a biofeedback user-controlled interface, and a data processing/analysis interface to detect momentary pinch performances in 79 people with normal hand sensation. Nine patients with hand sensory impairments were recruited to investigate the effects of training hand function with the CERB prototype.Results Hand dominance, pinch pattern, and age significantly affected the peak pinch force and force ratio for lifting a 480-g object with a steel surface. In the case of the 79 volunteers with normal hand sensation, hand dominance affected the time lag between peak pinch force and maximum load; however, it was unaffected by pinch pattern or age. Training with the CERB prototype produced significant improvements in force ratio and better performance in the pin insertion subtests, although the results for both 2-point discriminative and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament tests did not change significantly.Limitations The intervention findings are preliminary.Conclusions This study developed a conjunct system suited for evaluating and restoring sensorimotor function for patients with impaired hand sensibility. The results from the participants with normal hand sensation could serve as a reference database for comparison with patients with nerve injuries.