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Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation

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Open Access 01-12-2017 | Methodology

The Arm Movement Detection (AMD) test: a fast robotic test of proprioceptive acuity in the arm

Authors: Leigh Ann Mrotek, Maria Bengtson, Tina Stoeckmann, Lior Botzer, Claude P. Ghez, John McGuire, Robert A. Scheidt

Published in: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Background

We examined the validity and reliability of a short robotic test of upper limb proprioception, the Arm Movement Detection (AMD) test, which yields a ratio-scaled, objective outcome measure to be used for evaluating the impact of sensory deficits on impairments of motor control, motor adaptation and functional recovery in stroke survivors.

Methods

Subjects grasped the handle of a horizontal planar robot, with their arm and the robot hidden from view. The robot applied graded force perturbations, which produced small displacements of the handle. The AMD test required subjects to respond verbally to queries regarding whether or not they detected arm motions. Each participant completed ten, 60s trials; in five of the trials, force perturbations were increased in small increments until the participant detected motion while in the others, perturbations were decreased until the participant could no longer detect motion. The mean and standard deviation of the 10 movement detection thresholds were used to compute a Proprioceptive Acuity Score (PAS). Based on the sensitivity and consistency of the estimated thresholds, the PAS quantifies the likelihood that proprioception is intact. Lower PAS scores correspond to higher proprioceptive acuity. Thirty-nine participants completed the AMD test, consisting of 25 neurologically intact control participants (NIC), seven survivors of stroke with intact proprioception in the more affected limb (HSS+P), and seven survivors of stroke with impaired or absent proprioception in the more affected limb (HSS-P).

Results

Significant group differences were found, with the NIC and HSS+P groups having lower (i.e., better) PAS scores than the HSS-P group. A subset of the participants completed the AMD test multiple times and the AMD test was found to be reliable across repetitions.

Conclusions

The AMD test required less than 15 min to complete and provided an objective, ratio-scaled measure of proprioceptive acuity in the upper limb. In the future, this test could be utilized to evaluate the contributions of sensory deficits to motor recovery following stroke.

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Title: The Arm Movement Detection (AMD) test: a fast robotic test of proprioceptive acuity in the arm
Authors: Leigh Ann Mrotek
Maria Bengtson
Tina Stoeckmann
Lior Botzer
Claude P. Ghez
John McGuire
Robert A. Scheidt
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1743-0003
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-017-0269-3

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The Arm Movement Detection (AMD) test: a fast robotic test of proprioceptive acuity in the arm

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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