Article

We developed a gesture recognition biofeedback (GRB) device for
improving fine motor function in persons with brain injury using surface muscle
pressures of the forearm to provide real-time visual biofeedback. The GRB
apparatus is easy to don by moderately impaired users and does not require
precise placement of sensors. METHOD: The efficacy of GRB training with each
subject was assessed by comparing its effectiveness against standard repetitive
training without feedback. The outcome was measured using a nine-hole peg test
(HPT) administered before and after each condition, in a cross-over study design.
RESULTS: GRB was shown to be effective for short-term improvement of fine motor
function of 12 impaired participants, reducing their average time to completion
of the HPT by 15.5% (S.D. 7.14%). In a subset of impaired subjects, this effect
was significant in comparison to similar training without biofeedback (p < 0.05).
Control subjects experienced negligible change in HPT time. CONCLUSIONS: This
pilot study of a heterogeneous group shows that GRB may offer a simple means to
help impaired users re-learn specified manual tasks.

Langue : ANGLAIS