Data from: Elasticity improves handgrip performance and user experience during visuomotor control

Passive rehabilitation devices, providing motivation and feedback, potentially offer an automated and low-cost therapy method, and can be used as simple human–machine interfaces. Here, we ask whether there is any advantage for a hand-training device to be elastic, as opposed to rigid, in terms of performance and preference. To address this question, we have developed a highly sensitive and portable digital handgrip, promoting independent and repetitive rehabilitation of grasp function based around a novel elastic force and position sensing structure. A usability study was performed on 66 healthy subjects to assess the effect of elastic versus rigid handgrip control during various visuomotor tracking tasks. The results indicate that, for tasks relying either on feedforward or on feedback control, novice users perform significantly better with the elastic handgrip, compared with the rigid equivalent (11% relative improvement, 9–14% mean range; p < 0.01). Furthermore, there was a threefold increase in the number of subjects who preferred elastic compared with rigid handgrip interaction. Our results suggest that device compliance is an important design consideration for grip training devices.

被动康复装置可提供激励与反馈，有望实现自动化且低成本的康复治疗方案，同时可作为简易人机交互界面（Human-Machine Interface）。本研究旨在探讨相较于刚性手部训练装置，弹性手部训练装置在使用性能与用户偏好层面是否具备优势。为解答该问题，我们基于新型弹性力与位置传感结构，开发了一款高灵敏度便携式数字化握力训练装置，可助力抓握功能的自主重复性康复训练。我们招募66名健康受试者开展可用性研究，以评估弹性与刚性握力控制模式在多种视觉运动追踪任务（visuomotor tracking tasks）中的表现差异。研究结果显示：无论任务依赖前馈控制（feedforward）还是反馈控制（feedback），新手用户使用弹性握力装置的表现均显著优于同类型刚性装置——相对性能提升11%，平均提升区间为9%至14%（p < 0.01）。此外，相较于刚性握力交互模式，偏好弹性握力交互模式的受试者人数提升至原先的三倍。本研究结果表明，对于握力训练装置而言，装置柔顺性（device compliance）是一项至关重要的设计考量因素。