title: Transfer of tactile input from an artificial hand to the forearm: experiments in amputees and able-bodied volunteers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study explores the possibilities of transferring peripheral tactile stimulations from an artificial hand to the forearm skin.
  
  
  METHODS
  A tactile display applied to the forearm skin was used to transfer tactile input to the forearm from various locations on a hand displayed on a computer screen. Discernment of location, levels of pressure and a combination of the two in simulated functional grips was tested to quantify the participants' ability to accurately perceive the tactile stimulations presented. Ten participants (5 forearm amputees and 5 able-bodied volunteers) unfamiliar with the equipment participated in the three-stage experiments comprising a learning session with vision, a reinforced learning session without vision and a validation session without vision.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The location discernment accuracy was high in both groups (75.2% and 89.6% respectively). The capacity to differentiate between three different levels of pressure was also high (91.7% and 98.1% respectively in the two groups). Recognition of simulated grip was slightly more difficult with the groups scoring 58.7% and 68.0% respectively for accuracy in the validation session.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that it is possible, following a brief training period, to transfer tactile input from an artificial hand to the forearm skin. The level of accuracy was lower for the more complex task, simulated grip recognition, possibly because this represents a more complex task requiring higher order brain functions. These results could form the basis for developing sensory feedback in hand prostheses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Measurement Technology and Industrial Electrical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. christian.antfolk@elmat.lth.se
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Antfolk
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cipriani
authors.forename: Maria Chiara
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Carrozza
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Balkenius
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Björkman
authors.forename: Göran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lundborg
authors.forename: Birgitta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rosén
authors.forename: Fredrik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sebelius
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000672:Amputation Stumps / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000674:Amputees / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D004867:Equipment Design; D056228:Feedback, Sensory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult