'Tactile' devices generate realistic 'sense of touch' and sensation for stroke victims

Devices which could be used to rehabilitate the arms and hands of people who have experienced a stroke have been developed by researchers at the University of Southampton.

In a paper to be presented this week (6 April) at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Assisted Living Conference, Dr Geoff Merrett from ECS-Electronics and Computer Science, will describe the design and evaluation of three technologies which could help people who are affected by stroke to regain movement in their hand and arm.

Dr Merrett worked with Dr Sara Demain from the University's Faculty of Health Sciences and Dr Cheryl Metcalf who works across Health Sciences and ECS, to develop three 'tactile' devices which generate a realistic "sense of touch" and sensation which mimic those involved in everyday activities.

"Most stroke rehabilitation systems ignore the role of sensation and they only allow people repetitive movement," said Dr Demain. "Our aim is to develop technology which provides people with a sense of holding something or of feeling something, like, for example, holding a hot cup of tea, and we want to integrate this with improving motor function."

Three tactile devices were developed and tested on patients who had had a stroke and on healthy participants. The devices were: a 'vibration' tactile device, which users felt provided a good indication of touch but did not really feel as if they were holding anything; a 'motor-driven squeezer' device, which users said felt like they were holding something, a bit like catching a ball; and a 'shape memory alloy' device which has thermal properties and creates a sensation like picking up a cup of tea.

"We now have a number of technologies, which we can use to develop sensation," said Dr Merrett.

"This technology can be used on its own as a stand-alone system to help with sensory rehabilitation or it could be used alongside existing health technologies such as rehabilitation robots or gaming technologies which help patient rehabilitation," Dr Metcalf concluded.

The academics' paper: Design and Qualitative Evaluation of Tactile Devices for Stroke Rehabilitation will be presented at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Assisted Living Conference.