Effect of Motor Training for the Upper Extremity using the Haptic Device

Abstract

[Purpose] We investigated the effects of training the upper extremity using the haptic device (HD) on healthy elderly persons to establish the quantitative assessment of level of disorder (motor, sensory, and cognition) and also motor and sensory therapy for the upper extremity in stroke patients. [Subjects] Seven healthy elderly persons participated after giving their informed consent. [Methods] The subjects performed the Point task and the Wave task with the right arm in five kinesthetic modes. [Results] Performance time (time) and error quantity of the haptic grip position in the root-mean-square (R.M.S.) and Time* R.M.S. (TR) at the start of training and at the end of training were compared. Differences were found between the Point task and the Wave task. Differences were noticed at the end of training in both tasks and they were, dependent on the presence or absence of kinesthetic or type of kinesthetic mode. [Conclusion] The results suggest how to set a training target and to select a task for a training target, and how to set systematic training by selection of a kinesthetic mode, as well as the selection of an index for the effectiveness of training for more appropriate application.