title: A small-scale robotic manipulandum for motor training in stroke rats.
abstract: The investigation and characterization of sensori-motor learning and execution represents a key objective for the design of optimal rehabilitation therapies following stroke. By supplying new tools to investigate sensorimotor learning and objectively assess recovery, robot assisted techniques have opened new lines of research in neurorehabilitation aiming to complement current clinical strategies. Human studies, however, are limited by the complex logistics, heterogeneous patient populations and large dropout rates. Rat models may provide a substitute to explore the mechanisms underlying these processes in humans with larger and more homogeneous populations. This paper describes the development and evaluation of a three-degrees-of-freedom robotic manipulandum to train and assess precision forelimb movement in rats before and after stroke. The mechanical design is presented based on the requirements of interaction with rat kinematics and kinetics. The characterization of the robot exhibits a compact, low friction device, with a sufficient bandwidth suitable for motor training studies with rodents. The manipulandum was integrated with an existing training environment for rodent experiments and a first study is currently underway.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Engineering Lab, ETH Zurich, Switzerland. vigarub@ethz.ch
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vigaru
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lambercy
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Graber
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fluit
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wespe
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schubring-Giese
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luft
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gassert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation