title: Effect of remote sensory noise on hand function post stroke.
abstract: Hand motor impairment persists after stroke. Sensory inputs may facilitate recovery of motor function. This pilot study tested the effectiveness of tactile sensory noise in improving hand motor function in chronic stroke survivors with tactile sensory deficits, using a repeated measures design. Sensory noise in the form of subthreshold, white noise, mechanical vibration was applied to the wrist skin during motor tasks. Hand dexterity assessed by the Nine Hole Peg Test and the Box and Block Test and pinch strength significantly improved when the sensory noise was turned on compared with when it was turned off in chronic stroke survivors. The subthreshold sensory noise to the wrist appears to induce improvements in hand motor function possibly via neuronal connections in the sensoriomotor cortex. The approach of applying concomitant, unperceivable mechanical vibration to the wrist during hand motor tasks is easily adoptable for clinic use as well as unsupervised home use. This pilot study suggests a potential for a wristband-type assistive device to complement hand rehabilitation for stroke survivors with sensorimotor deficit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , Milwaukee, WI , USA ; Department of Occupational Science and Technology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , Milwaukee, WI , USA ; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , Milwaukee, WI , USA ; Clinical & Translational Science Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI , USA.
authors.forename: Na Jin
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , Milwaukee, WI , USA ; Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , Milwaukee, WI , USA.
authors.forename: Marcella Lyn
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Kosmopoulos
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , Milwaukee, WI , USA.
authors.forename: Leah R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Enders
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , Milwaukee, WI , USA ; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University , College Station, TX , USA.
authors.forename: Pilwon
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hur
keywords: hand function; sensory noise; sensory stimulation; stochastic resonance; stroke hand rehabilitation; tactile sensation