Reliability, Validity and Clinical Utility of a Robotic Assessment for Proprioception
Reliability, Validity and Clinical Utility of a Robotic Assessment for Proprioception
The aim of this case-controlled observational cross-sectional study is to investigate the
 test-retest reliability, validity and clinical utility of a rapid robotic assessment of
 finger proprioception using a passive gauge position matching tasks in MS and stroke
 subjects.

 Session 1 Informed consent Descriptive measures Session 2 Clinical testing Robotic assessment
 (3x) Session 3 Clinical testing Robotic assessment (3x)
Inclusion Criteria:

 Inclusion criteria MS subjects

 -  Age > 18 years

 -  Diagnosis of MS (McDonald criteria)

 -  No relapse or relapse-related treatment within the last 3 months prior to the study

 Inclusion criteria Stroke subjects

 -  Age > 18 years

 -  Diagnosis of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic),

 -  Between 2 weeks and 12 months post-stroke

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Complete paralysis of both upper limbs

 -  Unable to detect any passive movement in hand and fingers

 -  Unable to place the hand in the robotic devices without any discomfort or pain

 -  Marked or severe intention tremor (Fahn's tremor rating scale on finger-to-nose test >
 3)

 -  Marked or severe spasticity for finger and elbow flexors or shoulder adductors
 (Modified Asworth scale >3)

 -  Other medical conditions interfering with the hand function (peripheral nerve lesion,
 orthopedic or rheumatoid impairment, pain, edema)

 -  Severe cognitive or visual deficits interfering with testing and training (e.g.
 Aphasia, neglect, …)