This protocol was developed for research supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (grant RGPIN 401963).

下面的协议在荷兰Bloorview儿童康复医院是经研究伦理委员会。 1.电机校准<ol><li>单片机电路板连接到使用USB端口的计算机。 </li><li>使用原装单片机软件，上传自定义脚本，"Motor_and_AccelerometerTest.ino"使用通过点击"上传"图标，在盘旋右箭头表示USB连接的电路板。 <ol><li>确保该振动电平被设置为零，以把使用"analogWrite"命令，在关闭位置的马达。该代码应改为"analogWrite（vibe1,0）;"。 </li><li>在微控制器的代码，指定脉冲宽度调制（PWM）输出引脚相应于通过初始化"vibe1"可变兴趣电机。 注意:PWM信号生成从由微控制器产生的数字信号近似模拟输出。该引脚labeleÐ数字上的物理单片机电路板。例如，如果电机被连接到PWM输出引脚"3"，则确保了"INT vibe1 = 3;"在代码被指定。 </li></ol></li><li>三轴加速计的z轴输出连接到微控制器板的模拟输入端口之一，以及连接正极和分别地从加速度计到5V和接地（GND）端口的微控制器板的引线。 </li><li>安装加速度计到振动电机，确保其z轴是垂直于马达的平表面， 如图2中 ，并放置在电机上的硬表面。 </li><li>打开在数据采集软件的"Motor_Calibration.vi"文件，并通过USB端口连接微控制器的计算机。 </li><li>使用提供的字段中，指定用于微控制器输入串行端口，使用下拉菜单，以及采样率，和num样品的误码率，收集。注意:500赫兹的采样速率是标准为这些实验，以防止加速度数据的走样，和1000的样品通常记录。 </li><li>使用"Motor_and_Accelerometer.ino"代码，指定供应到振动马达的PWM脉冲的所需占空比，再次使用"analogWrite"命令，并且该程序重新下载到微控制器板控制电机（参见步骤1.1 ）。例如，要设置脉冲100的数目，代码应为"analogWrite（vibe1,100）;"。 表1列出了在PWM值及其对应的占空比。 </li><li>了"MotorCalibration.vi"接口上使用快速傅立叶变换（FFT）显示，查明的最大峰并记录对应的振动频率的值（从横轴）。 </li><li>重复步骤1.7-1.8，调整PWM水平，直到达到所希望的频率，记录每个PWM频率PAI河例如，如果指定一个100赫兹的频率，执行步骤1.7-1.8直到发生在横轴上的100赫兹标记的最大峰。 注:有关本协议中使用的振动电机，振动的目标应在于在60-400赫兹范围在文献中描述5,10,13皮肤更好地匹配机械性的响应频率。 </li><li>重复步骤每个电机1.2.2到1.8，手动记录与电子表格或铅笔和纸每个电机的PWM频率的关系。 </li><li>打开"Experiment_1.vi"文件。对于每一个电机，下拉菜单频率右击并选择"属性"。在"编辑项目"选项卡中，使用表格，进入1.8-1.9的步骤来确定所需的频率和相应的PWM水平。选择"确定"退出。 </li><li>为系统设计软件的每个虚拟接口（VI）的文件重复步骤1.11的测试过程中使用（ 例如，"Experiment_2.vi"，"Experiment_3.vi" 等 ）。 </li></ol><img alt="图2" src="/files/ftp_upload/54223/54223fig2.jpg" /> 图2. 加速度安装到电机该三轴加速计（绿色）被安装到其z轴正交的马达用于校准的平坦表面的硬币电机。每个电机采用不同占空比激活，相应的振动频率是由加速度记录。 <a href="https://www-jove-com.bdigitaluss.remotexs.co/files/ftp_upload/54223/54223fig2large.jpg" target="_blank">请点击此处查看该图的放大版本。</a> 2.放置汽车<ol><li>一旦所有电机都被校准（第2节），将它们安装到大腿。 <ol><li>为了实现本手稿描述的结果，将一台电机上的每个前侧，后侧，内侧，和大腿的侧表面的，大约中途是吐温大粗隆和股骨外侧髁（或肢体的膝上截肢患者的远端）。 注意:每个电机的具体位置可以变化，这取决于所感兴趣的研究问题和地区，并且可以通过解剖和生理因素，如在皮肤机械性的类型和空间分布的影响。 </li></ol></li><li>直接连接马达用双面胶带在皮肤上。 注:刮围绕每个马达的区域是没有必要的，但可提高其对皮肤的粘附（ 图3）。对于其中的衣物，假体衬套，或对用户感知一些其它材料的影响感兴趣的应用程序，将在所述材料的顶部的电机，而不是抵靠皮肤。 </li></ol><img alt="图3" src="/files/ftp_upload/54223/54223fig3.jpg" /> 图3.测试平台的实验。自定义测试平台的建立是为了房子Ť他单片机电路板和按钮。汽车可以直接贴在皮肤上（如图所示），或与电机和皮肤之间的假体衬垫。 <a href="https://www-jove-com.bdigitaluss.remotexs.co/files/ftp_upload/54223/54223fig3large.jpg" target="_blank">请点击此处查看该图的放大版本。</a> 3.实验1:应用刺激和记录反应时间<ol><li>重新刷新微控制器板固件，以便通过与控制器的附带的软件包，打开"LVIFA_Base.pde"的文件，并重复步骤1.1数据采集软件董事会的控制权，取代"Motor_and_Accelerometer_Test.ino"与" LVIFA_Base.pde"脚本。 </li><li>直接连接的按钮来使用串行到USB连接电脑的USB端口中的一个。确保所有需要的驱动程序。 </li><li>打开"Experiment_1.vi"界面。 </li><li>指定串行端口，用于单片机电路板连接到电机，和按钮从标有"电机输入"和"绿色按钮"，分别下拉菜单选择相应的串行端口标识号。确定使用计算机的操作系统设备管理器实用程序的串行端口标识号。 </li><li>选择该文件以记录结果并启动程序。 </li><li>选择电机和频率通过从下拉菜单中的"Experiment_1.vi"接口每个马达选择被激活。有参与者按下按钮以在其上感觉到的振动时被施加反馈的腿。该按钮被按下后，确认通过注意到时钟已经停止计数在数据采集软件界面的响应，并通过从下拉菜单中选择一组新的频率重置为下一个试验的电机。 </li><li>一旦实验结束后，使用DRopdown菜单，所有机动频率恢复到零位，然后选择"停止程序"按钮以​​终止于电机控制板上的连接。 </li></ol> 4.实验2:刺激之间区分注意:这个实验可以完全独立于实验1.单个或多台电机可以用来进行。马达的具体位置可以根据不同的应用和研究问题而有所不同。 <ol><li>使用串行USB接口第二按钮连接到另一个USB端口。 </li><li>打开"Experiment_2.vi"的数据采集接口。 </li><li>将电机在具体的研究应用程序所需的位置和配置。例如，将单个马达上大腿，大转子和股骨外侧髁（或肢体被截肢者的前端）之间的中间，在每个前，后，外侧的，和大腿内侧表面到电子xamine在每个腿10,11的这些部分的频率灵敏度。 </li><li>指定用于微控制器板，并使用相同的方法步骤3.4既个按键的串行端口。一定要注意哪些按钮被分配到每一个端口。 </li><li>选择要激活的特定的电机和通过点击在软件接口"电机"的图标的频率的所需序列。例如，假设三个频率正在测试，如140赫兹，180赫兹，220赫兹。一系列测试可能是（1）180赫兹后跟140赫兹，（2）220赫兹后跟140赫兹，及（3）180赫兹后跟220赫兹。 </li><li>输入延迟开始时间和持续时间的刺激。 1.5秒是典型的两延迟和刺激次。 </li><li>启动该程序。 注:后在步骤4.6中指定的延迟，程序将激活与步骤4.5选择成对频率的序列电机（多个）。例如，如果180赫兹与220赫兹是本身在步骤4.5 lected，相应的马达将首先在180赫兹的指定的持续时间切换到220赫兹之前振动。 </li><li>有参与者按一项所述的两个按钮来选择第二感知频率是否比第更高或更低。响应将自动被程序记录下来。 </li></ol>

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The authors have nothing to disclose.

该协议的目的是提供一种用于在振动触觉的ASF应用评估刺激参数提供框架。具体地讲，它检查振动的频率，振幅，位置和序列的用户感觉运动响应的影响。这个框架可以在建立和扩展，其中包含另外的或可选择的类型可能更临床相关，如弯曲的联合，或从一条腿移重量到另一个用户应答。这些类型的变化将需要稍微不同的硬件配置，即置换设备的按钮的如惯性测量单元（IMU产品）或压力传感器，以及伴随的变化的虚拟接口。类似地，尽管这里介绍的协议要求参与者处于就座位置，只有小的硬件修改是必要的，以使过渡更临床相关的姿势，如站立平衡或沃尔王试验。 在这两个实验中，按钮（多个）可以与手，腿，脚被压，或通过一些其它手段，这取决于具体的研究问题和所希望的响应。此外，采用该基本协议额外的研究可用于探索不同的反馈编码策略，位置和掺入的影响到新的或现有的假肢。例如，实施震动触觉反馈到下肢假肢时，它可能是有趣的检查假肢插座和衬垫上的刺激使用者敏感度的影响。虽然在本手稿详述的协议所需要的振动电机（通过接口）的半手动激活，它们可以很容易地修改，以便使马达的激活以响应来自外部传感器动力学或运动的测量。使用的测量设备，例如惯性平台，角度计，压力传感器等 ，以代替按钮的，实验可以是conducted考察更多的生理有关用户的响应时间和准确性提供振动触觉反馈。这种类型的研究将采用类似的协议，以那些在实验1和2的说明，但将需要额外的控制系统传感器的输入转换成发送到振动马达的指令，以及变更到数据采集软件接口新硬件的变化。 实施生理学相关的响应的一个例子是用测角器来测量在膝角度的变化来取代按钮。对于这种类型的实验中，测角器将被安装在膝关节的侧表面上，而不是按压按钮，参与者将被指示在其膝盖弯曲到预定义膝角度（ 例如，90度）时电机振动的看法。用户的反应时间则定义为施加刺激并且当关节一个之间所经过的时间GLE沉降或接近期望的值（ 例如，90°±10°）。运动精度，也可以通过计算目标和实现角度之间的百分比误差进行评价。 在过去的十年中，许多研究已经探索在各种生物力学应用中使用的振动触觉反馈，包括其疗效作为改善步态和平衡14,15一个训练工具。这些研究大部分都集中在生物反馈的临床意义，研究具体的运动或运动参数的任何变化当施加振动触觉反馈。因此，大多数的协议选择一个组的刺激参数，很少检查用户灵敏度振动的位置，振幅，或图案。这里介绍的协议作为朝向理解用户感知的第一步骤，以振动触觉，应该在评估这些刺激对特定临床效果进行刺激iCal的条件。额外的工作，例如由Goodworth 等 7,16，探讨各种编码策略为翻译感觉信息到振动刺激，和Crea 等人的12，其评价用户在振动模式的改变的敏感性，补充这些实验，以提供如何更全面地理解，以优化对特定的生物力学应用振动触觉的反馈。 应当指出，这个实验系统的一个基本的限制，与在文献5,6报道的其他系统，在于所述振动电机，其中一对振动频率和幅度。即，在振动频率的增加或减少，伴随有幅度正比变化。这两个参数的分离需要不同类型的电动机，例如线性共振致动器，以及更先进的电动机驱动器的更复杂的马达供电。 ADDIT有理更新到现有的接口将需要以适应新的硬件和附加振幅参数。 校准过程是这些实验的成功执行关键的，并应在随后的实验中使用的各电动机独立地执行。而占空比频率关系应该是名义上相同类型相同电机，在电机结构小的差异，可能会导致非平凡的变化，从而导致频率。例如，当开发此过程中，一个180赫兹目标频率，使用范围从103-143为不同的马达的PWM值来实现的。

人工感觉反馈（ASF）可以被定义为提供实时生物信息对个人，往往补偿受损本体或其他感官机构的做法。 ASF已经受伤或残疾人康复领域长期被用来帮助身体机能和运动1方面恢复- 3，允许个人控制曾经是自主神经系统4的无意识反应的物理过程。 ASF，生物力学生物反馈的子类，用外部传感器来测量与平衡或步态运动学参数，并通过某种应用的刺激传达这一信息到个人。一种日益流行的方法的生物力学反馈采用小振动马达，或病理因素，放置在身体的不同部位，以提供空间以及时间上的反馈。以前的文献已经呈现promising结果支持的应用程序与下肢截肢，前庭障碍的人使用振动触觉反馈，和老化有关的平衡5的损失- 9。 控制一个人的感知和响应特定的刺激机制的深入理解是必要的通知有效实施针对不同的应用ASF系统。为振动触觉的反馈，这些机制之间主要是本体和感觉运动响应，特别是对施加振动用户的灵敏度和执行所需的反应所需的时间。通过振动刺激传达任何感觉信息必须被编码为振动频率的特定组合，幅度，位置和序列。因此，震动触觉ASF系统的设计应该选择的参数组合，以最大限度地刺激用户的感知和解释，如还有的及时性和所得到的马达响应的准确性。该协议的目的是提供一种从其中计算的响应时间和响应精度的各种振动刺激通知ASF系统设计为具有不同的感官受损人群使用的平台。 此处所描述的方法建立在以前的研究探索的触觉和震动触觉反馈3,5,6-人类感知，并用于沿两个以前的研究-10,11-用途被开发。后两种研究采用该协议来检查在下肢截肢的准确性和用户响应及时振动频率和位置的影响，显示出这两个参数显著影响结果的措施，而且有高度的响应精度的可实现。这些结果可以被用于通知病理因素的理想放置在今后的研究和振动触觉的ASF系统的临床应用。其他最近的工作由Crea 等人的12检查用户灵敏度行走期间施加到大腿中的振动模式的变化，使用口头响应来表示感知的改变振动模式，而不是电动机的响应。虽然这些口头响应可以被用于测量检测精度，他们不考虑错误和延迟可能存在在电动机控制过程。 用于以下实验的主要设置包括许多个连接到脉冲宽度调制的微控制器板的输出管脚振动马达中的。该板，反过来，通过通用串行总线（USB）连接到一台计算机上运行市售系统设计软件控制。电机需要额外的放大电路，以确保足够的电压和电流在很宽范围的振动频率的供给。一个例子放大器电路示于图1。的双极型结型晶体管（BJR）在图中可以用小的金属氧化物半导体场效应晶体管（MOSFET）为更有效的操作和更小的尺寸来代替。类似地，整个放大电路可以由一个关闭的，现成的触觉电机驱动器被替换，以提供额外的控制和减小的尺寸。每个电机都需要自己的电路，和使用本文中列出的设备，最多十个马达可以由单个微板来控制。 <img alt="图1" src="/files/ftp_upload/54223/54223fig1.jpg" /> 图1.电机配线。（A）中的放大电路，用于单个振动电机被示出。各电动机需要一个单独的电路和必须连接到微控制器上的一个独特的PWM输出端口。与V DD这里表示由微控制器板提供的3.3伏电源，并且当零电压是应用R2用作下拉电阻，以确保该晶体管开关的电阻保持打开撒了谎。 （B）的两个电机的物理线路的一个例子。尽管示出了八个单独放大电路，只有两个被连接到振动电机。在这个协议中，R1 = 4.7kΩ和R2 = 100kΩ的。 <a href="https://www-jove-com.bdigitaluss.remotexs.co/files/ftp_upload/54223/54223fig1large.jpg" target="_blank">请点击此处查看该图的放大版本。</a>

<table><tbody><tr><td>Vibrating Pager Motors</td><td>Precision Microdrives</td><td>Model 310-101</td><td>Coin eccentric rotating mass motors.&amp;nbsp; As many as necessary to test all locations and interactions of interest</td></tr><tr><td>Tri-axis Accelerometer</td><td>Dimension Engineering</td><td>ADXL 335</td><td>Advanced analog accelerometer. 500&amp;nbsp;Hz bandwidth, 3.5-15&amp;nbsp;V input. Designed for motion, tilt, and slope measurement, as well as vibration and shock sensing.</td></tr><tr><td>Arduino Uno</td><td>Arduino</td><td>DEV-11021</td><td>Microcontroller board for communicating with the tri-axis accelerometer</td></tr><tr><td>Arduion Mega 2560</td><td>Arduino</td><td>DEV-11061</td><td>Microcontroller board for interfacing with the vibration motors.&amp;nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>LabVIEW</td><td>National Instruments</td><td></td><td>Data acquisition software used to control motors and display accelerometer signals</td></tr><tr><td>Arduino IDE Software</td><td>Arduino</td><td>v. 1.6.5</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Push-Button</td><td>Bridges</td><td>Buddy Button</td><td>Wired switch featuring a 2.5&amp;nbsp;in/6.35&amp;nbsp;cm activation surface that provides an auditory click and tactile feedback.</td></tr><tr><td>Optional:</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Dedicated haptic motor driver</td><td>Texas Instruments</td><td>DRV2605L</td><td>Can be used to replace the entire amplification circuit described in Step 1.</td></tr><tr><td>Flexible wearable goniometer</td><td>Biometrics Ltd.</td><td>SG110</td><td>Twin axis flexible goniometers to measure angles in up to two planes of movement that can be used in lieu of the push button to measure joint movement in response to stimuli.&lt;br/&gt; www.biometricsltd.com/gonio.htm</td></tr></tbody></table>

a method for evaluating timeliness and accuracy of volitional motor responses to vibrotactile stimuli

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.

图4示出的校准曲线识别为单个马达的180赫兹的振动频率的PWM值。以50％的占空比开始时，PWM值被重复，直到主频率尖峰发生在180赫兹。成功校准，试验应显示在主振动频率明显的尖峰。加速度计到电机，或者电机的支撑表面的差固定，可能会导致不明确的尖峰更弥漫的FFT。在这种情况下，支架已经调整后，以确保更好的连接的校准试验应该重复。 图5A示出记录实验1三个的振动频率，140赫兹，180赫兹，220赫兹，施加到大腿的前表面十身强力壮参与者和三个被截肢者10刺激和按钮响应之间的反应时间。重复测量的方差分析（ANOVA）和使用Bonferroni校正图基事后分析被用来确定各频率的具体效果。这些数据显示的数据在身强力壮的人口每个频率相对紧张的蔓延，以及显著频率的影响。用于对振动频率的区分反应时间示于图5B中 ，并且可以使用相同的步骤，在单一频率的测试来分析。类似的分析可以进行，以确定电动机的位置，反应机制的影响（ 例如 ，按下按钮以手或脚），或其它的测试条件。 <img alt="图4" src="/files/ftp_upload/54223/54223fig4.jpg" /> 图4.典型的校准曲线。在快速傅立叶结果变换的加速度数据的示为单个马达进行校准。四项试验进行了识别PWM水平correspon宝顶至180Hz振动（蓝色实线）。需要注意的是振动的不同频率之间变化。 <a href="https://www-jove-com.bdigitaluss.remotexs.co/files/ftp_upload/54223/54223fig4large.jpg" target="_blank">请点击此处查看该图的放大版本。</a> <img alt="图5" src="/files/ftp_upload/54223/54223fig5.jpg" /> 图5.反应时间代表结果。（A）响应时间为个别频率显示。该线路连接的数据显示为健全的参与者（平均值±SD）中的数据，而各个数据点所代表的3个人一起经股截肢。反应时间频率显著下降。 &#39;*&#39;表示从140赫兹的反应时间都在显着差异p &lt;0.05显著差异，和"＃"从180赫兹频率的差。 （B）响应时间对区分频率s的绘制两个身强力壮的个人和那些与经股截肢。注意，在每一对中的数据的传播比为单频数据更大，这表明更可变的结果。这个数字已经从最初由Sharma等 10公布的数据修改。 <a href="https://www-jove-com.bdigitaluss.remotexs.co/files/ftp_upload/54223/54223fig5large.jpg" target="_blank">请点击此处查看本图的放大版本。</a> <table fo:keep-together.within-page="1"><tbody><tr><td> PWM值（脉冲） </td><td> 64 </td><td> 127 </td><td> 191 </td><td> 255 </td></tr><tr><td> 占空比 （％） </td><td> 25 </td><td> 50 </td><td> 75 </td><td> 100 </td></tr></tbody></table> 表1. PWM值和相应的占空比。样品PWM水平和相应的占空比所示。 ŧ他0-255范围为PWM值指定（在255）可为其中的信号是在每个脉冲的字节数。

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Method for Evaluating Timeliness and Accuracy of Volitional Motor Responses to Vibrotactile Stimuli at JoVE.com

A Method for Evaluating Timeliness and Accuracy of Volitional Motor Responses to Vibrotactile Stimuli

本文介绍用于施加振动触觉刺激对人参与者的大腿，并测量参与者的用于刺激的位置和频率的不同组合意志响应的精度和反应时间的技术。

一种意志的运动反应的及时性和准确性，以振动触觉刺激评价方法

Artificial sensory feedback (ASF) systems can be used to compensate for lost proprioception in individuals with lower-limb impairments.  Effective design ...

a-method-for-evaluating-timeliness-accuracy-volitional-motor

Universidad San Sebastian

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

7.2K 次观看.  Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. 本文介绍用于施加振动触觉刺激对人参与者的大腿，并测量参与者的用于刺激的位置和频率的不同组合意志响应的精度和反应时间的技术。 

视频: A Method for Evaluating Timeliness and Accuracy of Volitional Motor Responses to Vibrotactile Stimuli

Methods to Quantify Pharmacologically Induced Alterations in Motor Function in Human Incomplete SCI

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating disorder, which produces profound deficits in volitional motor control. Following medical stabilization, recovery from SCI typically involves long term rehabilitation. While recovery of walking ability is a primary goal in many patients early after injury, those with a motor incomplete SCI, indicating partial preservation of volitional control, may have the sufficient residual descending pathways necessary to attain this goal. However, despite physical interventions, motor impairments including weakness, and the manifestation of abnormal involuntary reflex activity, called spasticity or spasms, are thought to contribute to reduced walking recovery. Doctrinaire thought suggests that remediation of this abnormal motor reflexes associated with SCI will produce functional benefits to the patient. For example, physicians and therapists will provide specific pharmacological or physical interventions directed towards reducing spasticity or spasms, although there continues to be little empirical data suggesting that these strategies improve walking ability.
In the past few decades, accumulating data has suggested that specific neuromodulatory agents, including agents which mimic or facilitate the actions of the monoamines, including serotonin (5HT) and norepinephrine (NE), can initiate or augment walking behaviors in animal models of SCI. Interestingly, many of these agents, particularly 5HTergic agonists, can markedly increase spinal excitability, which in turn also increases reflex activity in these animals. Counterintuitive to traditional theories of recovery following human SCI, the empirical evidence from basic science experiments suggest that this reflex hyper excitability and generation of locomotor behaviors are driven in parallel by neuromodulatory inputs (5HT) and may be necessary for functional recovery following SCI. 
The application of this novel concept derived from basic scientific studies to promote recovery following human SCI would appear to be seamless, although the direct translation of the findings can be extremely challenging. Specifically, in the animal models, an implanted catheter facilitates delivery of very specific 5HT agonist compounds directly onto the spinal circuitry. The translation of this technique to humans is hindered by the lack of specific surgical techniques or available pharmacological agents directed towards 5HT receptor subtypes that are safe and effective for human clinical trials. However, oral administration of commonly available 5HTergic agents, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may be a viable option to increase central 5HT concentrations in order to facilitate walking recovery in humans. Systematic quantification of how these SSRIs modulate human motor behaviors following SCI, with a specific focus on strength, reflexes, and the recovery of walking ability, are missing.
This video demonstration is a progressive attempt to systematically and quantitatively assess the modulation of reflex activity, volitional strength and ambulation following the acute oral administration of an SSRI in human SCI. Agents are applied on single days to assess the immediate effects on motor function in this patient population, with long-term studies involving repeated drug administration combined with intensive physical interventions.

This video demonstrates modulation of reflex activity, volitional strength and ambulation through clinical and quantitative assessments in individuals with motor incomplete SCI as a result of acute oral administration of a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

量化人类不完全脊髓损伤运动功能的药理学诱导改建的方法

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating disorder, which produces profound deficits in volitional motor control. Following medical stabilization, ...

科研

医学

Measurement of Vibration Detection Threshold and Tactile Spatial Acuity in Human Subjects

Tests that allow the precise determination of psychophysical thresholds for vibration and grating orientation provide valuable information about mechanosensory function that are relevant for clinical diagnosis as well as for basic research. Here, we describe two psychophysical tests designed to determine the vibration detection threshold (automated system) and tactile spatial acuity (handheld device). Both procedures implement a two-interval forced-choice and a transformed-rule up and down experimental paradigm. These tests have been used to obtain mechanosensory profiles for individuals from distinct human cohorts such as twins or people with sensorineural deafness.

Here, we present protocols to determine vibration detection thresholds and tactile acuity using psychophysical methods in man.

振动检测阈值和触觉敏锐的空间在人类受试者的测量

Tests that allow the precise determination of psychophysical thresholds for vibration and grating orientation provide valuable information about ...

行为学

Acute and Chronic Tactile Sensory Testing after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Spinal cord injury (SCI) impairs sensory systems causing allodynia1-8. To identify cellular and molecular causes of allodynia, sensitive and valid sensory testing in rat SCI models is needed. However, until recently, no single testing approach had been validated for SCI so that standardized methods have not been implemented across labs. Additionally, available testing methods could not be implemented acutely or when severe motor impairments existed, preventing studies of the development of SCI-induced allodynia3. Here we present two validated sensory testing methods using von Frey Hair (VFH) monofilaments which quantify changes in tactile sensory thresholds after SCI4-5. One test is the well-established Up-Down test which demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity across different SCI severities when tested chronically5. The other test is a newly-developed dorsal VFH test that can be applied acutely after SCI when allodynia develops, prior to motor recovery4-5. Each VFH monofilament applies a calibrated force when touched to the skin of the hind paw until it bends. In the up-down method, alternating VFHs of higher or lower forces are used on the plantar L5 dermatome to delineate flexor withdrawal thresholds. Successively higher forces are applied until withdrawal occurs then lower force VFHs are used until withdrawal ceases. The tactile threshold reflects the force required to elicit withdrawal in 50% of the stimuli. For the new test, each VFH is applied to the dorsal L5 dermatome of the paw while the rat is supported by the examiner. The VFH stimulation occurs in ascending order of force until at least 2 of 3 applications at a given force produces paw withdrawal. Tactile sensory threshold is the lowest force to elicit withdrawal 66% of the time. Acclimation, testing and scoring procedures are described. Aberrant trials that require a retest and typical trials are defined. Animal use was approved by Ohio State University Animal Care and Use Committee.

We describe two tactile sensory testing methods for acute or chronic periods of spinal cord injury in rats. These validated procedures can detect the development and maintenance of allodynia-like sensations.

在大鼠脊髓损伤后的急性和慢性触觉测试

Spinal cord injury (SCI) impairs sensory systems causing allodynia1-8. To identify cellular and molecular causes of allodynia, sensitive and valid sensory ...

Testing Tactile Masking between the Forearms

Masking, in which one stimulus affects the detection of another, is a classic technique that has been used in visual, auditory, and tactile research, usually using stimuli that are close together to reveal local interactions. Masking effects have also been demonstrated in which a tactile stimulus alters the perception of a touch at a distant location. Such effects can provide insight into how components of the body's representations in the brain may be linked. Occasional reports have indicated that touches on one hand or forearm can affect tactile sensitivity at corresponding contralateral locations. To explore the matching of corresponding points across the body, we can measure the spatial tuning and effect of posture on contralateral masking. Careful controls are required to rule out direct effects of the remote stimulus, for example by mechanical transmission, and also attention effects in which thresholds may be altered by the participant's attention being drawn away from the stimulus of interest. The use of this technique is beneficial as a behavioural measure for exploring which parts of the body are functionally connected and whether the two sides of the body interact in a somatotopic representation. This manuscript describes a behavioural protocol that can be used for studying contralateral tactile masking.

Here we explore contralateral tactile masking between the forearms in which tactile detection thresholds are modulated by vibration applied to a remote site. The details of which remote sites have an effect can tell us about how the body is represented in the brain.

前臂之间的测试触觉掩蔽

Masking, in which one stimulus affects the detection of another, is a classic technique that has been used in visual, auditory, and tactile research, ...

A Simple Non-invasive Method for Temporary Knockdown of Upper Limb Proprioception

Proprioception may be the least well measured of all contributors to the neural control of movement. New precise, reliable measures of proprioception are needed for clinical diagnosis of impairment, and to measure outcomes of proprioceptive training. The purpose of this simple, non-invasive method is to temporarily knockdown upper limb proprioception in healthy adults, to an extent that would be useful in the development and testing of upper limb proprioception measures. Knockdown models have two main advantages over studying humans with impaired proprioception: participant availability and the ability to control the extent of impairment across participants. Current published methods of temporary proprioception knockdown of the upper limb, such as ischemic nerve blocks and cryotherapy, are invasive, impractical, or uncomfortable for the participant. Here, vibration over the ulnar groove was used to reduce upper limb proprioception. High frequency vibration may reduce proprioceptive acuity by inhibiting pacinian corpuscle-induced input. The effect of vibration used in this protocol was confirmed using two quantitative measures. This method was simple to administer, comfortable for participants, and practical.

The goal of this protocol is to demonstrate a practical method to temporarily interfere with proprioception in the upper limb of healthy humans.

一种简单无创的上肢本体临时击倒方法

Proprioception may be the least well measured of all contributors to the neural control of movement. New precise, reliable measures of proprioception are ...

A Vibrotactile Feedback Device for Seated Balance Assessment and Training

Postural perturbations, motion tracking, and sensory feedback are modern techniques used to challenge, assess, and train upright sitting, respectively. The goal of the developed protocol is to construct and operate a sitting platform that can be passively destabilized while an inertial measurement unit quantifies its motion and vibrating elements deliver tactile feedback to the user. Interchangeable seat attachments alter the stability level of the device to safely challenge sitting balance. A built-in microcontroller allows fine-tuning of the feedback parameters to augment sensory function. Posturographic measures, typical of balance assessment protocols, summarize the motion signals acquired during timed balance trials. No dynamic sitting protocol to date provides variable challenge, quantification, and sensory feedback free of laboratory constraints. Our results demonstrate that non-disabled users of the device exhibit significant changes in posturographic measures when balance difficulty is altered or vibrational feedback provided. The portable, versatile device has potential applications in rehabilitation (following skeletal, muscular, or neurological injury), training (for sports or spatial awareness), entertainment (via virtual or augmented reality), and research (of sitting-related disorders).

A sitting platform has been developed and assembled that passively destabilizes sitting posture in humans. During the user&#39;s stabilizing task, an inertial measurement unit records the device&#39;s motion, and vibrating elements deliver performance-based feedback to the seat. The portable, versatile device may be used in rehabilitation, assessment, and training paradigms.

一种用于座位平衡评估和训练的振动反馈装置

Postural perturbations, motion tracking, and sensory feedback are modern techniques used to challenge, assess, and train upright sitting, respectively. ...

Applying Incongruent Visual-Tactile Stimuli during Object Transfer with Vibro-Tactile Feedback

The application of incongruent sensory signals that involves disrupted tactile feedback is rarely explored, specifically with the presence of vibrotactile feedback (VTF). This protocol aims to test the effect of VTF on the response to incongruent visual-tactile stimuli. The tactile feedback is acquired by grasping a block and moving it across a partition. The visual feedback is a real-time virtual presentation of the moving block, acquired using a motion capture system. The congruent feedback is the reliable presentation of the movement of the block, so that the subject feels that the block is grasped and see it move along with the path of the hand. The incongruent feedback appears as the movement of the block diverts from the actual movement path, so that it seems to drop from the hand when it is actually still held by the subject, thereby contradicting the tactile feedback. Twenty subjects (age 30.2 &#177; 16.3) repeated 16 block transfers, while their hand was hidden. These were repeated with VTF and without VTF (total of 32 block transfers). Incongruent stimuli were presented randomly twice within the 16 repetitions in each condition (with and without VTF). Each subject was asked to rate the difficulty level of performing the task with and without the VTF. There were no statistically significant differences in the length of the hand paths and durations between transfers recorded with congruent and incongruent visual-tactile signals &#8211; with and without the VTF. The perceived difficulty level of performing the task with the VTF significantly correlated with the normalized path length of the block with VTF (r = 0.675, p = 0.002). This setup is used to quantify the additive or reductive value of VTF during motor function that involves incongruent visual-tactile stimuli. Possible applications are prosthetics design, smart sport-wear, or any other garments that incorporate VTF.

We present a protocol to apply incongruent visual-tactile stimuli during an object transfer task. Specifically, during block transfers, performed while the hand is hidden, a virtual presentation of the block shows random occurrences of false block drops. The protocol also describes adding vibrotactile feedback while performing the motor task.

在振动触觉反馈的对象传递过程中应用不一致的视觉触觉刺激

The application of incongruent sensory signals that involves disrupted tactile feedback is rarely explored, specifically with the presence of vibrotactile ...

A Standardized Method for Measurement of Elbow Kinesthesia

Proprioception is an important component of controlled movement. The threshold to detection of passive movement (TDPM) is a commonly used method for quantifying the proprioceptive submodality of kinesthesia in research settings. The TDPM paradigm has been found to be valid and reliable; however, the equipment and methods used for TDPM vary between studies. In particular, the research laboratory apparatuses for producing passive movement of an extremity are often custom designed by individual laboratories or inaccessible due to high cost. There is a need for a standardized, valid, and reliable method for measuring TDPM using readily available equipment. The purpose of this protocol is to provide a standardized method for measurement of TDPM at the elbow that is economical, easy to administer, and that produces quantitative results for measurement purposes in research-based settings. This method was tested on 20 healthy adults without neurological impairment, and eight adults with chronic stroke. The results obtained suggest this method is a reliable way to quantify elbow TDPM in healthy adults, and provides initial support for validity. Researchers seeking a balance between equipment affordability and measurement precision are most likely to find this protocol of benefit.

Here, we present a standardized method for measurement of elbow passive kinesthesia using the threshold to detection of passive movement (TDPM) that is appropriate for a research setting.

肘部运动麻醉的标准化测量方法

Proprioception is an important component of controlled movement. The threshold to detection of passive movement (TDPM) is a commonly used method for ...

Tactile Vibrating Toolkit and Driving Simulation Platform for Driving-Related Research

Collision warning system plays a key role in the prevention of driving distractions and drowsy driving. Previous studies have proven the advantages of tactile warnings in reducing driver&#8217;s brake response time. At the same time, tactile warnings have been proved effective in take-over request (TOR) for partially autonomous vehicles.
How the performance of tactile warnings can be optimized is an ongoing hot research topic in this field. Thus, the presented low-cost driving simulation software and methods are introduced to attract more researchers to take part in the investigation. The presented protocol has been divided into five sections: 1) participants, 2) driving simulation software configuration, 3) driving simulator preparation, 4) vibrating toolkit configuration and preparation, and 5) conducting the experiment.
In the exemplar study, participants wore the tactile vibrating toolkit and performed an established car-following task using the customized driving simulation software. The front vehicle braked intermittently, and vibrating warnings were delivered whenever the front vehicle was braking. Participants were instructed to respond as quickly as possible to the sudden brakes of the front vehicle. Driving dynamics, such as the brake response time and brake response rate, were recorded by the simulation software for data analysis.
The presented protocol offers insight into the exploration of the effectiveness of tactile warnings on different body locations. In addition to the car-following task that is demonstrated in the exemplar experiment, this protocol also provides options&#160;to apply other paradigms to the driving simulation studies by making simple software configuration without any code development. However, it is important to note that due to its affordable price, the driving simulation software and hardware introduced here may not be able to fully compete with other high-fidelity commercial driving simulators. Nevertheless, this protocol can act as an affordable and user-friendly alternative to the general high-fidelity commercial driving simulators.

This protocol describes a driving simulation platform and a tactile vibrating toolkit for the investigation of driving-related research. An exemplar experiment exploring the effectiveness of tactile warnings is also presented.&#160;

触觉振动工具包和驾驶模拟平台，用于驾驶相关研究

Collision warning system plays a key role in the prevention of driving distractions and drowsy driving. Previous studies have proven the advantages of ...

Assessment of Neuromuscular Function Using Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is a non-invasive method commonly used to evaluate neuromuscular function from brain to muscle (supra-spinal, spinal and peripheral levels). The present protocol describes how this method can be used to stimulate the posterior tibial nerve that activates plantar flexor muscles. Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation consists of inducing an electrical stimulus to a motor nerve to evoke a muscular response. Direct (M-wave) and/or indirect (H-reflex) electrophysiological responses can be recorded at rest using surface electromyography. Mechanical (twitch torque) responses can be quantified with a force/torque ergometer. M-wave and twitch torque reflect neuromuscular transmission and excitation-contraction coupling, whereas H-reflex provides an index of spinal excitability. EMG activity and mechanical (superimposed twitch) responses can also be recorded during maximal voluntary contractions to evaluate voluntary activation level. Percutaneous nerve stimulation provides an assessment of neuromuscular function in humans, and is highly beneficial especially for studies evaluating neuromuscular plasticity following acute (fatigue) or chronic (training/detraining) exercise.

We present a protocol to assess changes in neuromuscular function. Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is a non-invasive method that evokes muscular responses. Electrophysiological and mechanical properties of these responses permit the evaluation of neuromuscular function from brain to muscle (supra-spinal, spinal and peripheral levels).

神经肌肉功能的应用经皮神经电刺激评估

Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is a non-invasive method commonly used to evaluate neuromuscular function from brain to muscle (supra-spinal, ...