LRHは、カナダの自然科学と工学研究評議会（NSERC）によってサポートされていました。 SDは、部分的にプログラムを作成NSERCからサポートされていました。

全ての実験は、ニューヨーク倫理委員会によって承認され、すべての参加者は、インフォームドコンセントフォームに署名しました。実験は、ヘルシンキ条約に従って行われました。 1.刺激<ol><li>触覚検出刺激<ol><li> 100ミリ秒、250 Hzの振動の触覚刺激を提供するために触覚器（1.17 &quot;直径0.30&quot;厚）を使用します。専用の触覚器を使用すると、移動量と印加電圧との間に線形関係を提供します。 </li><li> 64ビットサウンドカードと触覚刺激の配信を制御します。 <ol><li>触覚器を駆動するために、拡声器として扱います。 64ビットコンピュータのステレオサウンドカードにステレオ・オーディオ・アンプを接続します。アンプ（ 例えば 、「左スピーカーアウト&#39;）の出力のいずれかに触覚器を接続します。パーに聴覚信号を提供するために、定期的なスピーカに増幅器の第2のチャネル（ 例えば 、「右スピーカーアウト&#39;）を接続しますticipant。 </li><li>実験を制御しているコンピュータコードでは、との触覚器を振動させるために使用される波形（所要時間100ミリ秒の例えば 、250 Hzの正弦波）、および聴覚信号のための別の波形（ 例えば 、3000 Hzの正弦波を生成します100ミリ秒の持続時間）。補足コードファイルにコード例1を参照してください。 </li><li> 2次元配列にこれらの2つの波形のそれぞれを置きます。触覚器アレイの最初の次元の信号を入れて、すべてゼロに第二の次元を設定します。音配列では二次元で信号を入れて、すべてゼロに最初に設定します。プログラム中の適切な時点でサウンドカードに適切な配列を再生します。これがどのように行われるかのデモのために補足コードファイルにコード例1を参照してください。 </li></ol></li><li>機械ベースの締結製品にストラップに触覚器を取り付けます。 </li></ol></li><li>マスキング刺激<ol><li>ヘクタール、電気によってマスキング刺激を与えますND-開催された振動子（直径4cm、「低」に設定された83ヘルツ）。 </li><li>マスキングは、試験される領域に基づいて、マスキング刺激が適用されるサイトを選択します。 </li></ol></li></ol> 2.実験のセットアップおよびデザイン<ol><li>実験のために、それの前の椅子で、机の上のコンピュータや機器を配置します。 </li><li>参加者は自分の左（テスト）腕を休まれているテーブルを設定します。表の右側に椅子を置きます。次の参加者は彼らの権利（マスキングアーム）肘を休まれた椅子にアームレストスタンドを置きます。テーブルにクッションを追加し、快適さのためにアームレスト。 </li><li>機械的に分離された表面上にスピーカーを配置します。参加者の足が（ 図1）それらに快適に休むますように（コンピュータマウスの左右のボタンに接続されている）フットペダルを配置します。 </li><li>必要な試験の適切な数を含め、研究のパラメータを選択します。閾値（典型的には、40~50の間の試験）実験が分割されるべきブロックの数の信頼できる推定値を得るために（例えば、条件当たり20〜25の試験の二つのブロック）。 </li><li>条件が実行される順序のリストを作成します。ここで、各ブロックのマスキング刺激を保持するかを決定するために、このリストを使用します。 </li><li>直接コンピュータ・プログラム・コードに試行回数を入力します（ 例えば 、ntrials = 25;補足コードファイルを参照してください）。各ブロックは注意を維持することはもはや10分以上であることを確認していません。 </li><li>ベイズ適応心理物理階段心理測定手順12で制御される強度を刺激する二代替-強制選択触覚検出タスク11をプログラムします 。 <ol><li>各試験のために、本2 1秒間隔は、間隔の1の中央に提示触覚刺激して、3回のビープ音（5 kHzの、3 kHzから5 kHzの、持続時間100ミリ秒）でマークされました。参加者の私を持っています刺激はフットペダルによって提示された間隔でndicate（右秒間、最初の放置します）。間隔が実行され、採点される方法を示しますサンプルコード2を参照してください。 注意：コンピュータのスコアが「正しい」か「間違っている」と適応階段のような応答は、それに応じて提示される次の値を選択します。 注：この方法は、試験部位における振動を検出するための閾値を決定します。 </li></ol></li></ol><img alt="図1" src="/files/ftp_upload/53733/53733fig1.jpg" /> 図 1。実験デザイン 。この図は、実験のセットアップおよび使用される材料を示しています。詳細は本文を参照してください。 3.実験手順<ol><li>書面によるインフォームドコンセントを取得します。自分の足が応答フットペダルに快適に休んで椅子に参加者を収容し、実験手順を説明します。&lt;/李&gt; <li>測定し、左前腕の背面の長さを記録。触覚器は、肘と手首のしわの内側の角度とアーム途中の中間に位置しているので、ストラップを適用します。 </li><li>所定の位置に触覚器を保持するために、アームの周りにゆるく数回テンソル包帯を巻き。 </li><li>テーブルの上に自分の左腕を置き、アームレストに自分の右肘を休まよう参加者に指示します。参加者を目隠しして刺激を見ているかの位置をマスキングすることを防止し、直進実験を通して見るためにそれらを指示します。 </li><li>触覚検出タスクに参加者を理解するために、（マスキング刺激なし）20練習試行のブロックで開始し、それらを触覚刺激に慣れることができるように。 </li><li>練習試行の後、ランダム、カウンターバランス順序で条件のブロックを実行して、実験を開始します。各ブロックを開始する前に、確実にその腕とマスキングSTIMULUが正しい位置にあります。 <ol><li>各条件については、以前作られた条件のリストを参照して、選択されたサイト上のマスキング刺激を保持します。それが実行されるように各条件をオフに渡ります。ほぼ一定の圧力を維持し、データ収集の試験の各ブロック全体にマスキング刺激を保持します。マスキング刺激は薄い衣服を介して適用することができます。 </li><li>以前に選択したトライアルのセット数を介して実行されます実験プログラムを実行します。試験の各ショートブロックの後に2分の休止期間をご紹介します。試験の所定のブロックが終了した後、マスキング刺激のための次のサイトを選択して、もう一度プログラムを実行します。すべての試験が完了するまで繰り返します。 </li></ol></li></ol> 4.データ解析<ol><li>適応階段プログラム 12によって返された閾値の推定値を視覚化し、確認するために、累積ガウスで累積ガウスための式を参加者のデータを適合（チャンスレベル - 0の同数 - 間違った、正しい1&#39;s-）50％から行く（シグモイド）（す​​べて正しい、すべて1のの）100％には、次のとおりです。 正しい応答の確率= 0.5 + 0.5 /（1 + EXP（ - （X-X0）/ STD）） xは、試験された強度値であり、X0は、75％閾値であり、STDは、推定値の標準偏差です。この式は、任意のカーブフィッティングソフトウェアを使用してデータおよび適応階段値と比較して、得られたX0値に取り付けることができます。 <ol><li>カーブが50％（偶然の性能）と100％の間になることを確認してください。試験した条件に違いがあるかどうかを判断するために（異なるマスキング部位の間など 、）は、実験の各条件で得られた75％のしきい値に統計分析（ 例えば 、t検定またはANOVAを）を実施します。 </li></ol></li><li>外れ値を識別するために、平均値と所定の条件の標準偏差を計算します。平均で各参加者のスコアを比較し、個々のスコアはそれから2つ以上の標準偏差であるならば、外れ値としてこのスコアを捉えと分析から取り外し意味。所望であれば、代替的な基準を使用することができます。 </li><li> （任意の単位でである）tactorsの強度の値を標準化するために、制御しきい値（マスキング刺激が制御部位に適用されたときに測定、 例えば 、肩）を基準にしたデシベル値に変換します。この式を使用します。 デシベル= 10×10（閾値/制御閾値）を記録します。 </li></ol>

<ol>
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著者は、彼らが競合する金融利害関係を持たないことを宣言します。

ここで、対触覚マスクの詳細なプロトコルが記載されており、触覚の検出しきい値をテストするための技術を使用して、以前に公表された結果が示されています。この方法の利点は、しきい値がpsychophysically厳格な技術を用いて測定していることです。 2-代替強制選択（2AFC）の手順では、回答の偏りに比較的鈍感であるため、注意の効果から。データのほとんどが閾値に近い刺激強度で収集?...

身体上の1つの場所での触覚刺激が別の場所にタッチの認識を変えるところ触覚マスキングがあります。これは、体表面に隣接する皮膚の領域との間の位置の相互作用を明らかにするためにフォンベーケーシ1によって開発技術、特に側方抑制、です。触覚マスクが長年にわたって広く研究されてきたが、研究は、主に電気刺激2、3、圧力4、および振動触覚刺激5,6を使用して同側触覚マスクを調べました。これとは対照的に、いくつかの研究は、マスキングとプローブサイトがはるかに除去することができる、反対側の触覚マスキングを見てきました。長距離触覚マスキング効果が手に鏡面対称点の間に示されており、5アーム 、7されている- 9しかし、これらの研究は、主に手や指を見に制限されている7、10は 、全身のより広範な部分でほとんど無視されています。そのような長距離マスキング実験の目的は、脳における身体表現の構成要素が機能的に連結することができる方法を示すことです。ここでは、長距離触覚マスキングの現象が1前腕に加わる振動が反対の前腕に触覚感度のしきい値にどのような影響を与えるか調査することによって探求されています。しきい値は、刺激を検出するのに必要な最小の刺激を指します。私たちは、刺激が、時間の75％を検出した強度としてこれを定義します。私たちは、1前腕に触覚感度（閾値の逆数）は、身体の他の部分に振動刺激（マスク）の存在下で測定された触覚マスキング技術を使用していました。効果的なマスキングは、検出閾値、すなわち増加、感度の低下によって明らかにされます。技術は、四肢の位置Oを変化させるなど、他の操作と組み合わせて使用​​することができますマスキングの有効性に及ぼす影響を調査するには、r動き。 ここでは、マスキング刺激として振動触覚刺激を使用します。これの利点は、刺激周波数、ひいては受容体タイプを調節することができるということです。技術は、プローブ、マスク、または両方として電気刺激を使用して痛みを見て拡張することができます。また、任意のサイトは、例えば、鍼治療部位の調査を可能にするマスキング部位として使用することができます。

<table><tbody><tr><td>C-2 tactor</td><td>ATAC Technology; Engineering Acoustics, Inc.</td><td></td><td>http://www.atactech.com/PR_tactors.html</td></tr><tr><td>Magic Wand</td><td>Hitachi</td><td></td><td>http://magicwandoriginal.com/magic-wand-original/</td></tr><tr><td>FC5 Foot Pedals</td><td>Yamaha Corporation</td><td></td><td>http://ca.yamaha.com/en/products/music-production/accessories/footpedals/fc5/?mode=model</td></tr><tr><td>MATLAB</td><td>The Mathworks, Inc.</td><td></td><td>http://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab/</td></tr><tr><td>Velcro</td><td>Velcro Industries B.V.</td><td></td><td>http://www.velcro.com/</td></tr></tbody></table>

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.

データの分析は、13で報告されました。前腕上（対照条件で測定されたしきい値に対して表さ）触覚感度が大幅に前腕の間で対側マスキング効果を実証し、（閾値が有意に増加した）振動触覚マスキング刺激が反対の腕（ 図2A）に適用されたときに減少しました。効果はマスクとテストサイトが一致したときに最大の効果が発生すると、マスキン?...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Testing Tactile Masking between the Forearms at JoVE.com

Testing Tactile Masking between the Forearms

前腕の間のテスト触覚マスキング

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.

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

testing-tactile-masking-between-the-forearms

Universidad San Sebastian

Research

JoVE Journal

Behavior

6.3K ビュー.  York University. 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. 

ビデオ: Testing Tactile Masking between the Forearms

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.

ヒト対象における振動検出しきい値と触覚空間視力の測定

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

行動学

Creating Virtual-hand and Virtual-face Illusions to Investigate Self-representation

Studies investigating how people represent themselves and their own body often use variants of &#34;ownership illusions&#34;, such as the traditional rubber-hand illusion or the more recently discovered enfacement illusion. However, these examples require rather artificial experimental setups, in which the artificial effector needs to be stroked in synchrony with the participants&#39; real hand or face&#8212;a situation in which participants have no control over the stroking or the movements of their real or artificial effector. Here, we describe a technique to establish ownership illusions in a setup that is more realistic, more intuitive, and of presumably higher ecological validity. It allows creating the virtual-hand illusion by having participants control the movements of a virtual hand presented on a screen or in virtual space in front of them. If the virtual hand moves in synchrony with the participants&#39; own real hand, they tend to perceive the virtual hand as part of their own body. The technique also creates the virtual-face illusion by having participants control the movements of a virtual face in front of them, again with the effect that they tend to perceive the face as their own if it moves in synchrony with their real face. Studying the circumstances that illusions of this sort can be created, increased, or reduced provides important information about how people create and maintain representations of themselves.

Here, we describe virtual-hand and virtual-face illusion paradigms that can be used to study body-related self-perception/-representation. They have already been used in various studies to demonstrate that, under specific conditions, a virtual hand or face can be incorporated into one&#39;s body representation, suggesting that body representations are rather flexible.

自己表現を調査するために、仮想手と仮想面のイリュージョンを作成します

Studies investigating how people represent themselves and their own body often use variants of &#34;ownership illusions&#34;, such as the traditional ...

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.

単純な非侵襲的上肢感覚の一時的なノックダウン法

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

Using Facial Electromyography to Assess Facial Muscle Reactions to Experienced and Observed Affective Touch in Humans

"Affective" touch is believed to be processed in a manner distinct from discriminatory touch and to involve activation of C-tactile (CT) afferent fibers. Touch that optimally activates CT fibers is consistently rated as hedonically pleasant. Patient groups with impaired social-emotional functioning also show disordered affective touch ratings. However, relying on self-reported ratings of touch has many limitations, including recall bias and communication barriers. Here, we describe a methodological approach to study affective responses to touch via facial electromyography (EMG) that circumvents the reliance on self-report ratings. Facial EMG is an objective, quantitative, and non-invasive method to measure facial muscle activity indicative of affective responses. Responses can be assessed across healthy and patient populations without the need for verbal communication. Here, we provide two separate datasets demonstrating that CT-optimal and non-optimal touch elicit distinct facial muscle reactions. Moreover, facial EMG responses are consistent across stimulus modalities, e.g. tactile (experienced touch) and visual (observed touch). Finally, the temporal resolution of facial EMG can detect responses on timescales that supersede that of verbal reporting. Together, our data suggest that facial EMG is a suitable methodology for use in affective tactile research that can be used to supplement, or in some cases, supplant, existing measures.

We describe a protocol to assess facial muscle activity in response to experienced and observed tactile stimulation using facial electromyography.

人間の経験と観測された情緒的なタッチに顔面筋の反応を評価するために顔面筋電図

"Affective" touch is believed to be processed in a manner distinct from discriminatory touch and to involve activation of C-tactile (CT) afferent fibers. ...

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.

振動触覚フィードバックを用いた物体移動時の不適合視覚触覚刺激の適用

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

A Tactile Automated Passive-Finger Stimulator (TAPS)

Although tactile spatial acuity tests are used in both neuroscience research and clinical assessment, few automated devices exist for delivering controlled spatially structured stimuli to the skin. Consequently, investigators often apply tactile stimuli manually. Manual stimulus application is time consuming, requires great care and concentration on the part of the investigator, and leaves many stimulus parameters uncontrolled. We describe here a computer-controlled tactile stimulus system, the Tactile Automated Passive-finger Stimulator (TAPS), that applies spatially structured stimuli to the skin, controlling for onset velocity, contact force, and contact duration. TAPS is a versatile, programmable system, capable of efficiently conducting a variety of psychophysical procedures. We describe the components of TAPS, and show how TAPS is used to administer a two-interval forced-choice tactile grating orientation test.
Corresponding Author: Daniel Goldreich

A Tactile Automated Passive-Finger Stimulator TAPS

We describe a computer-controlled device for investigating the sense of touch: the Tactile Automated Passive-finger Stimulator (TAPS). We describe the components of TAPS, and show how TAPS is used to administer a two-interval forced-choice tactile grating orientation test.

触覚自動パッシブフィンガースティミュレーター（TAPS）

Although tactile spatial acuity tests are used in both neuroscience research and clinical assessment, few automated devices exist for delivering ...

生物学

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.

エルボー運動症の測定のための標準化された方法

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

Non-Invasive Modulation and Robotic Mapping of Motor Cortex in the Developing Brain

Mapping the motor cortex with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has potential to interrogate motor cortex physiology and plasticity but carries unique challenges in children. Similarly, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve motor learning in adults but has only recently been applied to children. The use of tDCS and emerging techniques like high&#8211;definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) require special methodological considerations in the developing brain. Robotic TMS motor mapping may confer unique advantages for mapping, particularly in the developing brain. Here, we aim to provide a practical, standardized approach for two integrated methods capable of simultaneously exploring motor cortex modulation and motor maps in children. First, we describe a protocol for robotic TMS motor mapping. Individualized, MRI-navigated 12x12 grids centered on the motor cortex guide a robot to administer single-pulse TMS. Mean motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes per grid point are used to generate 3D motor maps of individual hand muscles with outcomes including map area, volume, and center of gravity. Tools to measure safety and tolerability of both methods are also included. Second, we describe the application of both tDCS and HD-tDCS to modulate the motor cortex and motor learning. An experimental training paradigm and sample results are described. These methods will advance the application of non-invasive brain stimulation in children.

We demonstrate protocols for the modulation (tDCS, HD-tDCS) and mapping (robotic TMS) of the motor cortex in children.

発達中の脳における運動皮質の非侵襲的変調とロボットマッピング

Mapping the motor cortex with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has potential to interrogate motor cortex physiology and plasticity but carries ...

神経科学

Capturing Dynamic Finger Gesturing with High-resolution Surface Electromyography and Computer Vision

Finger gestures are a critical element in human communication, and as such, finger gesture recognition is widely studied as a human-computer interface for state-of-the-art prosthetics and optimized rehabilitation. Surface electromyography (sEMG), in conjunction with deep learning methods, is considered a promising method in this domain. However, current methods often rely on cumbersome recording setups and the identification of static hand positions, limiting their effectiveness in real-world applications. The protocol we report here presents an advanced approach combining a wearable surface EMG and finger&#160;tracking system to capture comprehensive data during dynamic hand movements. The method records muscle activity from soft printed electrode arrays (16 electrodes) placed on the forearm as subjects perform gestures in different hand positions and during movement. Visual instructions prompt subjects to perform specific gestures while EMG and finger positions are recorded. The integration of synchronized EMG recordings and finger tracking data enables comprehensive analysis of muscle activity patterns and corresponding gestures. The reported approach demonstrates the potential of combining EMG and visual tracking technologies as an important resource for developing intuitive and responsive gesture recognition systems with applications in prosthetics, rehabilitation, and interactive technologies. This protocol aims to guide researchers and practitioners, fostering further innovation and application of gesture recognition in dynamic and real-world scenarios.

The paper presents a comprehensive protocol for simultaneously recording hand-electromyography (EMG) and visual finger tracking during natural finger gesturing. The visual data is designed to serve as the ground truth for the development of accurate EMG-based computational models for finger gesture recognition.

高解像度の表面筋電図とコンピュータービジョンによるダイナミックな指のジェスチャーのキャプチャ

Finger gestures are a critical element in human communication, and as such, finger gesture recognition is widely studied as a human-computer interface for ...

生物工学

Assessing Corticospinal Excitability During Goal-Directed Reaching Behavior

Reaching is a widely studied behavior in motor physiology and neuroscience research. While reaching has been examined using a variety of behavioral manipulations, there remain significant gaps in the understanding of the neural processes involved in reach planning, execution, and control. The novel approach described here combines a two-dimensional reaching task with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and concurrent electromyography (EMG) recording from multiple muscles. This method allows for the noninvasive detection of corticospinal activity at precise time points during the unfolding of reaching movements. The example task code includes a delayed response reaching task with two possible targets displayed &#177; 45&#176; off the midline. Single pulse TMS is delivered on the majority of task trials, either at the onset of the preparatory cue (baseline) or 100 ms prior to the imperative cue (delay). This sample design is suitable for investigating changes in corticospinal excitability during reach preparation. The sample code also includes a visuomotor perturbation (i.e., cursor rotation of &#177; 20&#176;) to investigate the effects of adaptation on corticospinal excitability during reach preparation. The task parameters and TMS delivery can be adjusted to address specific hypotheses about the state of the motor system during reaching behavior. In the initial implementation, motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were successfully elicited on 83% of TMS trials, and reach trajectories were recorded on all trials.

Reaching is a fundamental skill that allows humans to interact with the environment. Several studies have aimed to characterize reaching behavior using a variety of methodologies. This paper offers an open-source application of transcranial magnetic stimulation to assess the state of corticospinal excitability in humans during reaching task performance.

目標指向到達行動中の皮質脊髄興奮性の評価

Reaching is a widely studied behavior in motor physiology and neuroscience research. While reaching has been examined using a variety of behavioral ...