PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
The present work focuses on the tapping test, which is a method that is commonly used in the literature to assess dexterity, speed, and motor coordination by repeatedly moving fingers, performing a tapping action on a flat surface. During the test, the activation of specific brain regions enhances fine motor abilities, improving motor control. The research also explores neuromuscular and biomechanical factors related to finger dexterity, revealing neuroplastic adaptation to repetitive movements. To give an objective evaluation of all cited physiological aspects, this work proposes a measurement architecture consisting of the following: (i) a novel measurement protocol to assess the coordinative and conditional capabilities of a population of participants; (ii) a suitable measurement platform, consisting of synchronized and non-invasive inertial sensors to be worn at finger level; (iii) a data analysis processing stage, able to provide the final user (medical doctor or training coach) with a plethora of useful information about the carried-out tests, going far beyond state-of-the-art results from classical tapping test examinations. Particularly, the proposed study underscores the importance interdigital autonomy for complex finger motions, despite the challenges posed by anatomical connections; this deepens our understanding of upper limb coordination and the impact of neuroplasticity, holding significance for motor abilities assessment, improvement, and therapeutic strategies to enhance finger precision. The proof-of-concept test is performed by considering a population of college students. The obtained results allow us to consider the proposed architecture to be valuable for many application scenarios, such as the ones related to neurodegenerative disease evolution monitoring.
摘要：
目前的工作重点是攻丝测试，这是一种文献中常用的评估灵活性的方法，速度,通过反复移动手指来协调运动，在平坦表面上执行轻敲动作。在测试过程中,特定大脑区域的激活增强了精细运动能力，改善电机控制。该研究还探讨了与手指灵巧相关的神经肌肉和生物力学因素，揭示神经可塑性对重复运动的适应。为了对所有引用的生理方面进行客观评估，这项工作提出了一种由以下内容组成的测量架构：（i）一种新颖的测量协议，以评估参与者群体的协调和条件能力；（ii）一个合适的测量平台，由手指水平佩戴的同步和非侵入式惯性传感器组成；(iii)数据分析处理阶段，能够为最终用户（医生或培训教练）提供有关所进行测试的大量有用信息，远远超出了经典攻丝测试考试的最新结果。特别是,拟议的研究强调了手指间自主性对复杂手指运动的重要性，尽管解剖连接带来了挑战；这加深了我们对上肢协调和神经可塑性影响的理解，对运动能力评估具有重要意义，改进,和治疗策略，以提高手指的精度。概念验证测试是通过考虑大学生群体来进行的。获得的结果使我们可以认为所提出的体系结构对于许多应用场景都是有价值的，例如与神经退行性疾病演变监测有关的那些。
