Reliability, Validity and Clinical Utility of a Robotic Assessment for Proprioception

Reliability, Validity and Clinical Utility of a Robotic Assessment of Finger Proprioception in Neurological Subjects

The aim of this case-controlled observational cross-sectional study is to investigate the test-retest reliability, validity and clinical utility of a rapid robotic assessment of finger proprioception using a passive gauge position matching tasks in MS and stroke subjects.

Session 1 Informed consent Descriptive measures Session 2 Clinical testing Robotic assessment (3x) Session 3 Clinical testing Robotic assessment (3x)

Inclusion Criteria:

Inclusion criteria MS subjects

• Age > 18 years
• Diagnosis of MS (McDonald criteria)
• No relapse or relapse-related treatment within the last 3 months prior to the study

Inclusion criteria Stroke subjects

• Age > 18 years
• Diagnosis of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic),
• Between 2 weeks and 12 months post-stroke

Exclusion Criteria:

• Complete paralysis of both upper limbs
• Unable to detect any passive movement in hand and fingers
• Unable to place the hand in the robotic devices without any discomfort or pain
• Marked or severe intention tremor (Fahn's tremor rating scale on finger-to-nose test > 3)
• Marked or severe spasticity for finger and elbow flexors or shoulder adductors (Modified Asworth scale >3)
• Other medical conditions interfering with the hand function (peripheral nerve lesion, orthopedic or rheumatoid impairment, pain, edema)
• Severe cognitive or visual deficits interfering with testing and training (e.g. Aphasia, neglect, …)