Feasibility and reliability of a robotic assessment of finger proprioception using a gauge position matching task in stroke and healthy subjects

Abstract

Background: Repeatable sensory stimuli can be provided by robotic devices which can be used as an objective and quantitative tool to assess proprioception. A good evaluation of proprioception is essential for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment planning. Despite the development of various robotic tools, their feasibility and reliability in a stroke population are poorly evaluated and reported. Objectives: To investigate the feasibility and reliability of MIKE, a rapid robotic assessment of finger proprioception using a passive gauge position matching task in stroke and healthy subjects. Methods: Thirteen stroke participants (mean age 67.3 ± 10.5, 7 male and 6 female) and thirteen healthy participants (mean age 66.5 ± 10.5 years, 7 male and 6 female) were recruited to execute the protocol on two or three consecutive days. The first day the descriptive measures were collected, while on day two and three the proprioception in the index finger was assessed by the robotic device, MIKE. Four proprioceptive outcome measures were calculated based on the data collected by the MIKE in both groups. Conclusion: MIKE is a feasible device to measure proprioception in a stroke and healthy population. There was good to excellent between and within session reliability found for both hands in the stroke group. Therefore, MIKE can be used as a reliable measure in a stroke population.