A Wireless Tactile Sharing System Supporting Contracture Palpation

Abstract

This study aims to develop a tactile interface supporting the contracture palpation by physical therapists. It comprises a wearable skin vibration sensor that detects frictional vibrations relevant to the contracture during the palpation, a tactile headphone that gives vibrotactile feedback based on the sensor output to the therapist, and evaluation system of a laptop computer. They were wired to each other, which resulted in therapists having limited mobility and posture. Thus, this paper improved the system by wireless modules. A wireless system promotes natural palpation by therapists without giving any attention to wires. Furthermore, it can easily send the sensor output to additional tactile displays and other computers. This might be useful to the assessment by additional therapists and the training of the contracture palpation.