The Variability of Psychophysical Parameters following Surface and Subdermal Stimulation: A Multiday Study in Amputees

Jian Dong*, Bo Geng, Imran Khan Niazi, Imran Amjad, Strahinja Dosen, Winnie Jensen, Ernest Nlandu Kamavuako

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)
76 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Electrotactile stimulation has been suggested as a modality for providing sensory feedback in upper limb prostheses. This study investigates the multiday variability of subdermal and surface stimulation. Electrical stimulation was delivered using either surface or fine wire electrodes placed right under the skin in eight amputees for seven consecutive days. The variability of psychophysical measurements, including detection threshold (DT), pain threshold (PT), dynamic range (DR), just noticeable difference (JND), Weber fraction (WF) and quality of evoked sensations, was evaluated using the coefficient of variation (CoV). In addition, the systematic change in the mean of the parameters across days was assessed in both stimulation modalities. In the case of DT, PT, DR, and perceived intensity at 100 Hz, the CoV of surface stimulation was significantly smaller than that of subdermal stimulation. Only PT showed a significant systematic change in the mean value across days for both modalities. The outcome of this study has implications for the choice of modality in delivering sensory feedback, though the significance of the quantified variability needs to be evaluated using usability tests with user feedback.

Original languageEnglish
Article number8918067
JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering
Volume28
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)174-180
Number of pages7
ISSN1534-4320
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2020

Keywords

  • Prostheses
  • sensation variability
  • sensory feedback
  • subdermal electrical stimulation
  • surface electrotactile stimulation

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