Article

Robotic rehabilitation devices for upper limb function (ULF) provide
global indicators of a patient's ability, but the temporal evolution of motion
related to motor control is disregarded. OBJECTIVE: To determine normative values
for indices of accuracy, speed and smoothness in the evaluation of upper limb
function. METHODS: Twenty-five healthy individuals performed the Armeo(R)Spring
device "Vertical Capture" task. Custom stand-alone software was developed to
provide the following indices: global Hand Path Ratio (HPR), local HPR in the
target area (locHPR), vertical and horizontal overshoot (vertOS, horOS), maximum
and mean velocity (maxVel, meanVel), mean/maximum velocity, number of peaks in
velocity profiles (NVelPeaks) and normalized jerk (NormJerk). The dependence of
indices on task characteristics was analyzed by an ANCOVA test. Indices inner
relationships were assessed by a correlation and a factor analysis. Normative
values were then provided. RESULTS: 4,268 single reaching movements were
analyzed. Four indices were not affected by movement direction. Indices were
minimally influenced by the difficulty level. Based upon correlation and factor
analysis indices and can be grouped into three assessment fields, dealing with
precision, velocity and smoothness. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a tool to
assess ULF in dynamic condition. Normative values were obtained to be used as
references in assessing patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS