Perception of Static Position and Kinesthesia of the Finger using Vibratory Stimulation

Proprioception provides information regarding the state of an individual's limb in terms of static position and kinesthesia (dynamic movement). When such feedback is lost or impaired, the performance of dexterous control of our biological limbs or assistive devices tends to deteriorate. In this study, we determined if external vibratory stimulation patterns could allow for the perception of a finger's static position and kinesthesia. Using four tactors and two stimulus levels, eight vibratory settings corresponded to eight discrete finger positions. The transition patterns between these eight settings corresponded to kinesthesia. Three experimental blocks assessed the perception of a finger's static position, speed, and movement (amplitude and direction). Our results demonstrated that both position and kinesthesia could be recognized with over 93% accuracy. The outcomes suggest that vibratory stimulus can inform subjects of static and dynamic aspects of finger proprioception. This sensory stimulation approach can be implemented to improve outcomes in clinical populations with sensory deficits, and to enhance user experience when users interact with assistive devices.