title: A portable, low-cost assessment device for reaching times.
abstract: We present the Systematic Test for Assessing Reaching Times (START), an interactive device for measuring reaction and movement times. START uses randomly lighted buttons to elicit reaches to a variety of target locations with a standardized setup. A magnetized wristband and reed switch monitor the hand rest position while capacitive touch sensors embedded in the buttons sense successful target reaches. A microcontroller measures reaching times at tens of milliseconds resolution. START can easily translate to the clinic because it is portable, easy to use and inexpensive to construct. We designed START for use with stroke patients and are using START to assess the progress of upper extremity rehabilitation of stroke survivors. It can be modified to fit a number of other motor control or cognitive tasks.
authors.affiliation: Harrington Department of Bioengineering and Arts, Media & Engineering Program at Arizona State University, Tempe 85287, USA. mrduff@asu.edu
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duff
authors.forename: Suneth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Attygalle
authors.forename: Jiping
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Thanassis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rikakis
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003071:Cognition; D003201:Computers; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D009048:Motor Skills; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012371:Robotics; D012984:Software; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D014110:Touch; D014584:User-Computer Interface