Tactile Stimulation Research Articles

Rescaling perceptual hand maps by visual-tactile recalibration.

After concurrent visual and tactile stimuli have been presented repeatedly with a spatial offset, unisensory tactile stimuli, too, are perceived with a spatial bias towards the previously presented visual stimuli. This so-called visual-tactile ventriloquism aftereffect reflects crossmodal recalibration. As touch is intrinsically linked to body parts, we asked here whether recalibration occurs at the level of individual stimuli or at a higher, integrated, map-like level. We applied tactile stimuli to participants' hidden left hand and simultaneously presented visual stimuli with spatial offsets that, if integrated with the tactile stimuli, implied a larger hand. After recalibration, participants pointed to tactile-only stimuli and judged the distance between two tactile stimuli on the hand. The pattern of changes in tactile localization after recalibration was consistent with participants aiming at targets on an enlarged hand. This effect was evident also for new, tactile-only locations that had not been paired with visual stimuli during recalibration. In contrast, distance judgements were not consistently affected by recalibration. The generalization of recalibration to new, non-trained stimulus sites, but not across tasks and responses, suggests a link of low-level multisensory processing and map-like body representations that may, however, be purpose-specific and not organized as a general-purpose "body schema".

Performing hardness classification using diffusive memristor based artificial neurons

Abstract Artificial neurons and synapses are the building blocks for constructing a neuromorphic system such as Spiking Neural Network (SNN) or Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Recently, there has been tremendous interest in using memristors to develop neuromorphic technologies that can be used in advanced SNNs and ANNs. Memristors, because of their simple device structure, easy and high-density fabrication, and integration with other semiconductor electronics are suitable candidates for the construction of neuromorphic concepts. However, not much has been discussed about using memristors for the development of sensors that can be utilized for object- classification especially their rigidity, shape and structure. In this article, we propose the application of memristors, specifically silver nanoparticle based diffusive memristor, in conjunction with a piezoelectric sensor within a robotics gripper, serving as one receptor (a tactile sensor) that triggers neuron circuitry with memristors to generate spikes. Furthermore, to perform hardness classification, we utilized various objects to collect data and generated multiple spikes corresponding to each object. This data was then utilized with a machine learning algorithm. The outcomes were compared with the accuracy of commercial FSR tactile sensors. Our approach demonstrated the capability of diffusive memristors in generating neuron spikes from tactile stimuli for hardness classification, achieving accuracy ranging from 82% to 100% during the validation of 20% test data across various algorithms, while the FSR sensors achieved an accuracy range of 95% to 98%.

Multisensory stimulation to reduce procedural pain in retinopathy of prematurity: A randomized controlled trial.

Retinopathy is frequently seen in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and its examination is a painful procedure for infants. This randomized active-controlled trial aimed to investigate the impact of multisensory stimulation (MSS) on neonatal pain during retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) examinations, in comparison with a white noise (WN) and control group receiving standard care. Conducted as a three-arm, randomized controlled trial, the study was implemented in the NICU of a local university hospital. Recruitment spanned from July 2023 to November 2023, with preterm infants (gestational age < 37 weeks) randomly assigned to either a MSS, WN or a control group. MSS components included visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory and gustatory stimuli, all designed to create a synergistic, comforting environment for the infant during the procedure. Procedural pain, heart rate and oxygen saturation were assessed at various stages before and after ROP examinations. Analysis of 90 participants revealed that the MSS group exhibited lower Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) scores than the WN and control groups (mean difference: -2.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.62 to -1.62; odds ratio [OR]: 0.004, 95% CI [0.001, 0.012], p < 0.001). Additionally, heart rates were significantly lower in the MSS group (mean difference: -15.3 beats/min, 95% CI: -20.5 to -10.1; OR: 0.025, 95% CI [0.008, 0.073], p < .001) and oxygen saturation levels were higher (mean difference: 3.2%, 95% CI: 1.8% to 4.6%; OR: 1.12, 95% CI [1.05, 1.20], p < .001) than in the other groups. MSS emerges as a favourable, safe and non-pharmacological intervention for pain management in ROP and similar procedures. Multisensory stimulation can be effectively integrated into the routine care provided by critical care nurses during retinopathy of prematurity examinations in preterm infants. This non-pharmacological intervention offers a practical approach for critical care nurses to reduce procedural pain and improve physiological stability in this vulnerable population.

The impact of the type of playful massage movements on the perception of tactile stimulation in children: EEG study

Tactile play and playful massage are a normal interaction between adults and children in many cultures. Experimental data show that activation of the C-tactile system during such playful touches contributes to children’s socialization and the establishment of psychoemotional bonds in the parent-child dyad. However, comprehensive studies of the effects of different types of touch on perception of tactile stimulation in children have not been conducted before. Twenty-three children participated in the present study: 10 in the preschool age group and 13 in the elementary school age group. Children in both groups received play massage containing different types of touch with simultaneous recording of electroencephalogram (EEG) and heart rate. EEG processing included determination of spectral power, alpha rhythm peak frequency and fractal dimension. Analysis of the results showed that the relaxing effect of the procedure was more pronounced in children of primary school age, which can be explained both by the greater maturity of the CNS and the greater need for tactile contact, which is not realized in the school environment.

Dermal macrophages control tactile perception under physiological conditions via NGF signaling

We demonstrated previously that sorting nexin 25 (SNX25) in nerve-associated macrophages plays critical roles in pain sensation by regulating tissue NGF content under both physiological and neuropathic conditions. In the present study, we apply the SNX25–NGF paradigm to tactile perception by showing that Snx25+/- mice or macrophage-specific Snx25 conditional knock-out (mcKO) mice had weaker responses to tactile stimuli in normal conditions. Snx25 mcKO mice responded poorly to transcutaneous electrical stimuli at a frequency of 5 Hz (C fiber responses), but normally to stimuli at a frequency of 250 Hz (Aδ fiber responses) or of 2000 Hz (Aβ fiber responses). CX3CR1-positive dermal macrophages were frequently found near calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP)- positive nerves and, less frequently, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive nerves. We confirmed that the tissue content of NGF was lower in Snx25 mcKO mice than in wild-type mice, and in turn, dermal NGF injection restored tactile sensitivity in Snx25+/- mice and Snx25 mcKO mice to normal levels. These results indicate that CGRP-positive C-nociceptors (possibly also TH-positive C-LTMRs) associated dermal macrophages control tactile perception by producing NGF and secreting it into the dermis.

Cross-modal feedback of tactile and auditory stimuli for cyclists in noisy environments

In recent years, with the increasing use of bicycles for environmental and health benefits, the importance of the feedback for cyclists is increasing. Moreover, as bicycles account for 23 % of all traffic accidents in 2022, improving bicycle safety is a crucial challenge. This study aimed to explore methods for enhancing safety and improving feedback to cyclists through auditory and tactile signals. Experiments were conducted using a cycling simulator and cross-modal reaction tests of tactile and auditory signals to simulate bicycle riding under actual external noise environments. The accuracy of the recognition and reaction times for both tactile and auditory signals were evaluated in situations with simulated road traffic sounds. Subsequently, the effectiveness of cross-modal feedback was assessed, optimal signal conditions were examined, and the relationship between variations in environmental noise and optimal auditory signals for cyclists was discussed. The results showed that cross-modal feedback led to faster reaction times, while the recognition accuracy of auditory signals varied depending on environmental noise levels. The present findings suggest the potential of cross-modal feedback to enhance cyclist safety, particularly when optimized for environmental conditions and individual perception.

Whisker-Implanted Biomimetic Electronic Skin for Tactile Sensing and Blind Perception.

Rodent whiskers are a distinct class of tactile sensors that work in conjunction with the biological skin to discern airstreams and obstacles with remarkable sensitivity, facilitating navigation around proximate objects. In this study, a flexible artificial skin is developed comprising sensory active units, including electronic skin (e-skin) and an artificial whisker, inspired by the sensory capabilities of rodent skin and whiskers. As a novel strategy, unique congruent air pockets are introduced within the e-skin to enhance the sensitivity. Mechanical stimuli applied to the artificial whisker are efficiently transmitted to the active e-skin, which generates a sensitive tactile perception response. The developed artificial skin exhibits high sensitivity, a wide sensing range, high flexibility, superior stability, and tensile strength. The artificial whisker facilitates the sensitive detection of a broad range of applied mechanical forces. Therefore, the artificial skin can sense subtle and vigorous tactile stimuli including airstreams and field obstacles. The ability to sense, discriminate, and decipher the airstreams and obstacles imparts outstanding tactile sensing and blind perception characteristics to the artificial skin. This artificial skin is a promising platform for the development of sensitive e-skins suitable for a broad range of applications, such as human-machine interfaces, robotics, and wearable electronics.

Viewed touch influences tactile detection by altering decision criterion.

Our tactile perception is shaped not only by somatosensory input but also by visual information. Prior research on the effect of viewing touch on tactile processing has found higher tactile detection rates when paired with viewed touch versus a control visual stimulus. Therefore, some have proposed a vicarious tactile system that activates somatosensory areas when viewing touch, resulting in enhanced tactile perception. However, we propose an alternative explanation: Viewing touch makes the observer more liberal in their decision to report a tactile stimulus relative to not viewing touch, also resulting in higher tactile detection rates. To disambiguate between the two explanations, we examined the effect of viewed touch on tactile sensitivity and decision criterion using signal detection theory. In three experiments, participants engaged in a tactile detection task while viewing a hand being touched or approached by a finger, a red dot, or no stimulus. We found that viewing touch led to a consistent, liberal criterion shift but inconsistent enhancement in tactile sensitivity relative to not viewing touch. Moreover, observing a finger approach the hand was sufficient to bias the criterion. These findings suggest that viewing touch influences tactile performance by altering tactile decision mechanisms rather than the tactile perceptual signal.

Painful Legs and Moving Toes Syndrome: Case Report and Review

Introduction: Painful legs and moving toes (PLMT) syndrome is a rare movement disorder characterized by defuse lower limb neuropathic pain and spontaneous abnormal, involuntary toe movements. Objective: The objective was to present a rare case of PLMT syndrome with a triggering area in an adult patient due to multilevel discogenic pathology, to make a thorough review of this disorder and to provide a practical approach to its management. Case presentation: A 59-years-old male was admitted to the neurology ward with symptoms of defuse pain in the lower-back and the right leg accompanied by involuntary movements for the right toes intensified by tactile stimulation in the right upper thigh. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a multilevel discogenic pathology of the lumbar and cervical spine, with myelopathy at C5-C7 level. A medication with Pregabalin 300 mg/daily significantly improved both the abnormal toe movements and the leg pain. The clinical effect was constant during the 90-day follow-up without any adverse effects. Conclusion: Painful legs and moving toes (PLMT) is a condition that greatly affects the quality of life of patients, but which still remains less known by clinicians. Spontaneous resolution is rare, and oral medications are the first-line treatment. Pregabalin is a safe and effective treatment option for PLMT that should be considered early for the management of this condition. Other medication interventions, such as botulinum toxin injections, spinal blockade, or non-pharmacological treatment options like spinal cord stimulation, and surgical decompressions, are also recommended when the conservative treatment is ineffective in well-selected patients.

Tactile mechanisms and afferents underlying the rat pup transport response.

Juvenile rodents and other altricial mammals react with calming, immobility, and postural modifications to parental pickup, a set of behaviors referred to as the transport response.1,2,3,4,5 Here, we investigate sensory mechanisms underlying the rat transport response. Grasping rat pups in anterior neck positions evokes strong immobility and folding up of feet, whereas more posterior grasping has lesser effects on immobility and foot position. Transport responses are enhanced by slow (1Hz), and even more so by fast (4Hz), gentle shaking and translation, features consistent with parental transport. With lateral grasping, the forepaw below the grasping position points downward and the forepaw lateral to the grasping position points upward and medially. Such forepaw adjustments put the pup's center of gravity below the grasping point, optimizing pup transportability. Tactile stimuli on the back, belly, tail, whisker, dorsal forepaws, and dorsal hind-paws do not significantly affect behavior of anterior-neck-held pups. Instead, ground contact, or paw stimulation consistent with ground contact, disrupts transport responses. We identify afferents mediating transport response by examining membrane labeling with FM 1-436 following anterior neck grasping. We observe a dense innervation of the anterior-neck-skin region (∼30 terminals/mm2). We find an age-related decrease of cytochrome oxidase reactivity in the rat somatosensory cortical neck representation, a possible correlate to developmental decrease in pup transport response. We conclude that anterior neck grasping and loss of ground contact trigger calming and postural adjustments for parental transport in rat pups, responses putatively driven from the densely innervated anterior neck skin.

TouchMark: Partial Tactile Feedback Design for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Virtual Reality.

The use of Virtual Reality (VR) technology, especially in medical rehabilitation, has expanded to include tactile cues along with visual stimuli. For patients with upper limb hemiplegia, tangible handles with haptic stimuli could improve their ability to perform daily activities. Traditional VR controllers are unsuitable for patient rehabilitation in VR, necessitating the design of specialized tangible handles with integrated tracking devices. Besides, matching tactile stimulation with corresponding virtual visuals could strengthen users' embodiment (i.e., owning and controlling virtual bodies) in VR, which is crucial for patients' training with virtual hands. Haptic stimuli have been shown to amplify the embodiment in VR, whereas the effect of partial tactile stimulation from tangible handles on embodiment remains to be clarified. This research, including three experiments, aims to investigate how partial tactile feedback of tangible handles impacts users' embodiment, and we proposed a design concept called TouchMark for partial tactile stimuli that could help users quickly connect the physical and virtual worlds. To evaluate users' tactile and comfort perceptions when grasping tangible handles in a non-VR setting, various handles with three partial tactile factors were manipulated in Study 1. In Study 2, we explored the effects of partial feedback using three forms of TouchMark on the embodiment of healthy users in VR, with various tangible handles, while Study 3 focused on similar investigations with patients. These handles were utilized to complete virtual food preparation tasks. The tactile and comfort perceptions of tangible handles and users' embodiment were evaluated in this research using questionnaires and interviews. The results indicate that TouchMark with haptic line and ring forms over no stimulation would significantly enhance users' embodiment, especially for patients. The low-cost and innovative TouchMark approach may assist users, particularly those with limited VR experience, in achieving the embodiment and enhancing their virtual interactive experience.

Seeing the piles of the velvet bending under our finger sliding over a tactile stimulator improves the feeling of the fabric.

Using friction modulation to simulate fabrics with a tactile stimulator (i.e. virtual surface) is not sufficient to render fabric touch and even more so for hairy fabrics. We hypothesized that seeing the pile of the velvet darken or lighten depending on changes in the finger movement direction on the virtual surface should improve the velvet fabric rendering. Participants actively rubbed a tactile device or a velvet fabric looking at a screen that showed a synthesized image of a velvet that either remained static (V-static) or darkening/lightening with the direction of touch (V-moving). We showed that in V-moving condition, the touched surface was always perceived rougher, which is a descriptor of a real velvet (Experiment 1). Using electroencephalography and sources localization analyses, we found increased activity in the occipital and inferior parietal lobes (Experiment 2) when seeing dark and shining traces during back-and-forth finger movements over the virtual surface. This suggests that these two posterior cortical regions work together to evaluate visuo-tactile congruence between the seen and the felt (tactile). The visuo-tactile binding, evidenced by neural synchronization (specifically, theta band (5-7 Hz) oscillation) in the left inferior posterior parietal lobule, is consistent with enhanced integration of information and probably contributed to the emergence of a more realistic velvet representation.

Association between psychological traits and occlusal tactile acuity of healthy individuals.

Tactile acuity is a somatosensory measure of the extent to which humans can discern tactile stimuli. It is influenced by how peripheral signals are processed centrally. In the oral cavity, Occlusal Tactile Acuity (OTA) is the ability to perceive minimal thicknesses between antagonist teeth. The aim of the current study was to assess the association between psychological traits and OTA of otherwise healthy individuals. Sixty-three volunteers (32 males; mean age ± SD: 24.6 ± 2.7 years) participated in this study. Somatosensory amplification, anxiety, depression, physical symptoms and pain catastrophizing were scored using questionnaires, and subgroups of severity were created per variable based on cut-offs. OTA was measured using 9 aluminium foils with thickness (ranging from 8 to 72 μm) and one sham test (without foil). Each thickness was tested 10 times in random order, the participants were instructed to report whether they felt the foil between their molars and the mean percentage of correct answers was computed. A linear mixed model was used with OTA as a dependent variable and psychological domain as an independent variable. Significantly different OTA was observed among the anxiety subgroups (p = .003), supporting a decreased perception of thicknesses 24 and 32 μm (p = .018 and p < .001, respectively) in participants with moderate/severe anxiety compared to those with no/mild anxiety. Significantly different OTA was also observed among the pain catastrophizing subgroups (p = .008), showing decreased perception of thicknesses 32 and 40 μm (p < .001 and p = .007, respectively) in severe catastrophizing levels, compared to no/mild catastrophizing levels. No significant differences were observed for the other variables. Healthy adults with increased anxiety or pain catastrophizing levels show decreased interdental acuity as compared to participants with minor or no psychological impairment.

HaptoFloater: Visuo-Haptic Augmented Reality by Embedding Imperceptible Color Vibration Signals for Tactile Display Control in a Mid-Air Image.

We propose HaptoFloater, a low-latency mid-air visuo-haptic augmented reality (VHAR) system that utilizes imperceptible color vibrations. When adding tactile stimuli to the visual information of a mid-air image, the user should not perceive the latency between the tactile and visual information. However, conventional tactile presentation methods for mid-air images, based on camera-detected fingertip positioning, introduce latency due to image processing and communication. To mitigate this latency, we use a color vibration technique; humans cannot perceive the vibration when the display alternates between two different color stimuli at a frequency of 25 Hz or higher. In our system, we embed this imperceptible color vibration into the mid-air image formed by a micromirror array plate, and a photodiode on the fingertip device directly detects this color vibration to provide tactile stimulation. Thus, our system allows for the tactile perception of multiple patterns on a mid-air image in 59.5 ms. In addition, we evaluate the visual-haptic delay tolerance on a mid-air display using our VHAR system and a tactile actuator with a single pattern and faster response time. The results of our user study indicate a visual-haptic delay tolerance of 110.6 ms, which is considerably larger than the latency associated with systems using multiple tactile patterns.

Tactile tastes: testing the relation between tactile thresholds, liking of textures and pickiness in eating.

The texture of foods plays an important role in the liking of foods. Especially for picky eaters, texture can be a reason to reject foods. Previous studies showed that picky eaters in general dislike tactile stimulation more, which can include the feel of sand in their hands and specific food textures in their mouth. It has been suggested that this dislike stems from lower thresholds to detect touch, causing textures to feel over-stimulating and therefore more aversive. Alternatively, picky eaters might have the same objective tactile thresholds, but different subjective evaluations. The aim of the present study is to test the relations between tactile thresholds, liking of textures, food liking and picky eating. In a sample of 86 adult participants, picky eating was measured with the Adult Picky Eating Questionnaire (APEQ) and food liking with the Food Liking Questionnaire (FLQ). Tactile thresholds were tested with Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments (both on the tongue and fingertip) and liking of different textures was measured by feeling several textures with the hands. Results showed that both tongue and fingertip tactile thresholds were not related to the liking of textures. Thresholds of the fingertip, but not the tongue, were weakly related to food liking, but not directly to the APEQ. Liking of textures was related to both food liking and the APEQ. The results indicate that picky eaters indeed have a general subjective dislike of textures, but this cannot be explained by lower tactile thresholds. Future research might focus on how differential liking of textures develops.

Massage Therapy In One Year Old Babies with Increased Appetie

Massage often referred to as tactile stimulation, is a long-practiced art of health care and medicine. Baby massage can enhance the release of digestive hormones such as insulin and gastrin, leading to improved food absorption. This may result in the baby feeling hungry more frequently, potentially contributing to weight gain. Prolonged eating difficulties in children can lead to disrupted nutritional intake, including deficiencies in calories, protein, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and anemia. The study used a retrospective data analysis design with a chi-square test, involving a sample of 20 babies who received 12 massage sessions at Momby Kids Jombang. The total sampling method was employed. The findings revealed a significance value of 0.003, indicating a statistically significant relationship between baby massage and increased appetite. The study concluded that baby massage is indeed linked to an increase in appetite in babies.

Robotic assistants for the rehabilitation of communication disorders in children: A proposal based on MTO manufacturing for developing countries

Language is fundamental to human communication, allowing individuals to express and exchange ideas, thoughts, and emotions. In early childhood, some children experience communication disorders that impede their ability to articulate words correctly, posing significant challenges to their learning and development. This issue is exacerbated in developing countries, where limited resources and a lack of technological tools hinder access to effective speech therapy. Traditional speech therapy remains vital, but the latest technological advancements have introduced robotic assistants to enhance therapy for communication disorders. Despite their potential, these technologies are often inaccessible in developing regions due to high production costs and a lack of sustainable manufacturing models. For these reasons, this paper presents “FONA,” a robotic assistant that employs rule-based expert systems to provide tactile, auditory, and visual stimuli. FONA supports children aged 3 to 6 in speech therapy by delivering exercises such as syllable production, word formation, and pictographic storytelling of various phonemes. Notably, FONA was successfully tested on children with cochlear implants, reducing the number of sessions required to produce isolated phonemes. The paper also introduces an innovative analysis of the Make To Order (MTO) manufacturing system for producing FONA in developing countries. This analysis explores two key perspectives: collaborative networks and entrepreneurship, offering a sustainable production model. In a pilot experiment, FONA significantly improved children’s attention spans, increasing the period by 17 min. Furthermore, the economic analysis demonstrates that producing FONA through collaborative networks can significantly reduce costs, making it more accessible to institutions in developing countries. The findings suggest that the project is viable for a five-year period, providing a sustainable and effective solution for addressing communication disorders in children.

SENSORY-FOCUSED FOOTWEAR DESIGN: MERGING ART AND WELL-BEING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM

The application of art in footwear design presents a unique opportunity to enhance the well-being of children and adults with autism by incorporating controlled sensory stimuli. This approach integrates natural elements—like trees, flowers, and serene colors—into shoes, creating a calming sensory experience. Colors such as blue, green, and lilac are strategically chosen for their soothing effects, fostering emotional stability and reducing stress. Research indicates that these hues promote relaxation, with blue associated with tranquility, green symbolizing nature, and lilac evoking spirituality. The texture of the footwear plays a crucial role as well, incorporating raised patterns inspired by natural forms to provide subtle, relaxing tactile stimulation. This allows for pleasant sensory interaction, particularly for individuals sensitive to excessive stimuli. Comfort is further enhanced by the inclusion of soft, non-slip insoles that distribute weight evenly and ensure safety, especially in environments where slips may occur. Recent studies reinforce the importance of creating environments that promote calm and comfort, highlighting innovative solutions that improve quality of life for individuals with sensory challenges. The design of therapeutic gardens and the development of responsive smart clothing illustrate a growing recognition of the benefits of integrating art and nature into everyday experiences. Overall, this focus on empathetic and inclusive design reflects a societal shift toward understanding and addressing the unique needs of those with autism. By prioritizing sensory-friendly features in everyday products, the integration of art into footwear not only enhances aesthetic value but also contributes significantly to emotional and physical well-being, creating a more inclusive world.

Convergent representation of values from tactile and visual inputs for efficient goal-directed behavior in the primate putamen

Animals can discriminate diverse sensory values with a limited number of neurons, raising questions about how the brain utilizes neural resources to efficiently process multi-dimensional inputs for decision-making. Here, we demonstrate that this efficiency is achieved by reducing sensory dimensions and converging towards the value dimension essential for goal-directed behavior in the putamen. Humans and monkeys performed tactile and visual value discrimination tasks while their neural responses were examined. Value information, whether originating from tactile or visual stimuli, was found to be processed within the human putamen using fMRI. Notably, at the single-neuron level in the macaque putamen, half of the individual neurons encode values independently of sensory inputs, while the other half selectively encode tactile or visual value. The responses of bimodal value neurons correlate with value-guided finger insertion behavior in both tasks, whereas modality-selective value neurons show task-specific correlations. Simulation using these neurons reveals that the presence of bimodal value neurons enables value discrimination with a significantly reduced number of neurons compared to simulations without them. Our data indicate that individual neurons in the primate putamen process different values in a convergent manner, thereby facilitating the efficient use of constrained neural resources for value-guided behavior.

Gait Training of Healthy Older Adults in a Sitting Position using the Wearable Robot to Assist Arm-swing Rhythm, WALK-MATE ROBOT

Although various walking training robots have been developed and their effectiveness has been recognised, operating these robots requires the implementation of safety measures to avoid the risk of falling. This study aimed to confirm whether arm swing rhythm training in the sitting position using an arm swing rhythm-assisted robot, WMR, improved subsequent walking. Healthy older adults (N = 20) performed arm swing rhythm training in a sitting position for 1 min ×\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\ imes$$\\end{document} three times while being presented with tactile stimulation synchronised with the arm swing rhythm from a robot. An increase in walking performance was observed with increases in stride length and speed. In addition, the stabilisation of the gait pattern was observed, with a decrease in the proportion of the double-foot support phase and an increase in the proportion of the swing phase in one gait cycle. These results suggest that arm swing rhythm training in a sitting position using WMR improves gait in older adults. This will lead to the realisation of safe and low-cost robot-based walking training in sitting position.