Upper limb exercise with physical and virtual robots: Visual sensitivity affects task performance

Abstract We investigated the influence of visual sensitivity on the performance of an imitation task with the robot R1 in its virtual and physical forms. Virtual and physical embodiments offer different sensory experience to the users. As all individuals respond differently to their sensory environment, their sensory sensitivity may play a role in the interaction with a robot. Investigating how sensory sensitivity can influence the interactions appears to be a helpful tool to evaluate and design such interactions. Here we asked 16 participants to perform an imitation task, with a virtual and a physical robot under conditions of full and occluded visibility, and to report the strategy they used to perform this task. We asked them to complete the Sensory Perception Quotient questionnaire. Sensory sensitivity in vision predicted the participants’ performance in imitating the robot’s upper limb movements. From the self-report questionnaire, we observed that the participants relied more on visual sensory cues to perform the task with the physical robot than on the virtual robot. From these results, we propose that a physical embodiment enables the user to invest a lower cognitive effort when performing an imitation task over a virtual embodiment. The results presented here are encouraging that following this line of research is suitable to improve and evaluate the effects of the physical and virtual embodiment of robots for applications in healthy and clinical settings.

Download Full-text

Distinguishing Sensory Sensitivity and Reactivity, and How They Relate to Autistic Traits

10.31234/osf.io/vhtfk ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Samantha Schulz ◽

Ryan A Stevenson

Keyword(s):

Sensory Processing ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Detection Task ◽

Visual Sensitivity ◽

Self Report ◽

Sensory Sensitivity ◽

Sensory Reactivity ◽

Compulsive Disorder

Sensory processing issues are common across neurodevelopmental disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and intellectual disabilities, as well as other mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. This study uses a novel behavioural paradigm and a questionnaire to assess sensory issues and these two methods are directly compared to distinguish sensory sensitivity and sensory reactivity. We also used autistic traits as an empirical testbed to shed light on the relationships between sensory processing issues and traits associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Sensory processing issues are highly prevalent in the autistic population, and previous findings have strongly supported a relationship between parent or self-reported sensory sensitivity and autistic traits, whereas studies that have examined this relationship through behavioural assessments of sensitivity are less consistent. The current study explores these differences and suggests that sensory sensitivity and sensory reactivity are distinct constructs, with questionnaires assessing reactivity whereas behavioural measures assess sensitivity. One hundred and eighteen typically-developed adults completed a visual detection task, an auditory detection task, and questionnaires on sensory processing and autistic traits. Visual thresholds, derived from the behavioural paradigm and self-report visual sensitivity were not correlated, but both were related to and predictive of autistic traits. Auditory thresholds and self-report auditory sensitivity were also unrelated. Overall, sensitivity is highly associated with autistic traits, however, behavioural and questionnaire assessments of sensitivity lack convergent validity and, therefore, likely assess distinct constructs. In conclusion, sensory sensitivity and sensory reactivity are unique concepts that fall under the umbrella of sensory processing differences and need to be researched as such in relation to behavioural traits across clinical populations.

Download Full-text

Differentiating between sensory sensitivity and sensory reactivity in relation to restricted interests and repetitive behaviours

Autism ◽

10.1177/1362361319850402 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 121-134 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Samantha E Schulz ◽

Ryan A Stevenson

Keyword(s):

Sensory Processing ◽

Visual Sensitivity ◽

Self Report ◽

Typically Developing ◽

Repetitive Behaviours ◽

Sensory Sensitivity ◽

Restricted Interests ◽

Sensory Reactivity ◽

Questionnaire Measure ◽

Questionnaire Measures

Recent studies have suggested that individuals who exhibit heightened sensitivity also exhibit higher rates and severity of restricted interests and repetitive behaviours. This line of research has been conducted almost exclusively through caregiver reports of sensitivity. Here, a more rigorous psychophysics paradigm was applied to assess sensory sensitivity and relate hypersensitivity to restricted interests and repetitive behaviours. In addition, commonly used questionnaire measures of sensory sensitivity were collected to determine if self-reported measures accurately reflect behavioural measures of sensory sensitivity. In all, 90 typically developing participants completed a visual detection task, a questionnaire measure of sensory processing and a measure of restricted interests and repetitive behaviours. Visual sensitivity, measured both behaviourally and with questionnaires, is positively related to restricted interests and repetitive behaviours. Surprisingly, visual sensitivity as measured behaviourally and through self-report are unrelated. Furthermore, a regression analysis suggests that while restricted interests and repetitive behaviours can be predicted based on both behavioural and self-reported sensitivity, these two predictors account for different portions of the variance in restricted interests and repetitive behaviours. Thus, while these results provide evidence supporting the contribution of sensory sensitivity to restricted interests and repetitive behaviours, these results also indicate that behavioural and questionnaire measures of sensory sensitivity are measuring two distinct constructs. We hypothesize that behavioural measures are measuring sensory sensitivity, while questionnaires measures are in fact measuring sensory reactivity.

Download Full-text

“Studying the cutaneous microcirculatory response during upper-limb exercise in healthy, older, sedentary people”

Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation ◽

10.3233/ch-2011-1510 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

pp. 69-75 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Markos Klonizakis

Keyword(s):

Upper Limb ◽

Limb Exercise

Download Full-text

“Just that four letter word, hope”: stroke survivors’ perspectives of participation in an intensive upper limb exercise program; a qualitative exploration

Physiotherapy Theory and Practice ◽

10.1080/09593985.2021.1875525 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Tamina Levy ◽

Lauren J. Christie ◽

Maggie Killington ◽

Kate Laver ◽

Maria Crotty ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Upper Limb ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Stroke Survivors ◽

Letter Word ◽

Qualitative Exploration ◽

Limb Exercise

Download Full-text

Effects of upper limb exercise programs on the arteriovenous fistula in patients on hemodialysis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The Journal of Vascular Access ◽

10.1177/11297298211001166 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 112972982110011

Author(s):

Francini Porcher Andrade ◽

Heloíse Benvenutti ◽

Kacylen Costa da Silva ◽

Paula Maria Eidt Rovedder

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Arteriovenous Fistula ◽

Flow Rate ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Blood Flow Rate ◽

Exercise Programs ◽

Exercise Interventions ◽

Limb Exercise

Background: The arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a commonly used vascular access for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients; exercise interventions may boost its maturation and help in its maintenance. A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials on the effects of upper limb exercise programs on the AVF was conducted. Methods: The primary outcomes were draining vein diameter (DVD) and draining vein blood flow rate (DVBFR), and secondary outcomes were handgrip strength (HGS) and brachial artery flow rate (BAFR). Quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Results: Four studies met the inclusion criteria. When compared to usual care groups, the experimental groups did not improve DVD (mean difference [MD] 0.23, confidence interval [CI] −0.20–0.65). There were significant differences in DVBFR (mL/min) according to the fixed-effect model (MD 141.13, CI 36.84–245.42). HGS (kg) was significantly different between groups (MD 2.95, CI 0.55–5.35), but BAFR (mL/min) was not (MD 91.65, CI −94.72–278.01). Conclusions: Although exercise programs did not improve DVD and BAFR, they increased muscle strength and DVBFR. Therefore, experimental exercise programs should be emphasized for AVF maturation and maintenance. Research Registry number: reviewregistry924.

Download Full-text