How to train your posture: Augmented haptic feedback can be used for postural adaptation of the trunk during upper-limb motor training

Abstract

Poor trunk posture, especially during long periods of sitting, could lead to many issues such as Low Back Pain (LBP) and Forward Head Posture (FHP). Typical solutions are based on visual or vibration-based feedback. However, these feedback systems could lead to feedback being ignored by user and phantom vibration syndrome, respectively. Moreover, trunk posture needs to be corrected during rehabilitation of stroke patients to reduce trunk compensation. Proposed solutions in the literature to reduce trunk compensation primarily include strapping patients to the chair, which has several disadvantages. In this study, we propose using augmented haptic feedback for postural adaptation. In this two-part study, twenty-four healthy participants (age 25.87 ± 2.17 years) adapted to three different postural targets in the anterior direction while performing a unimanual reaching task using a robotic device. Results suggest a strong adaptation to the desired postural targets. Mean anterior trunk bending after intervention is significantly different as compared to baseline measurements for all postural targets. Additional analysis of movement straightness and smoothness indicates an absence of any negative interference of posture-based feedback on the performance of reaching movement. Taken together, these results suggest that augmented haptic feedback-based system could be used for postural adaptation applications.

Let the force guide you: a performance-based adaptive algorithm for postural training using haptic feedback

“…The developed algorithm has been validated for postural adaptation to a predefined postural target using haptic feedback. The current study is an extension of a previous study that shows that haptic feedback could be used for postural adaptation to different postural targets while performing a reaching task (Agarwal et al, 2022 ). In the previous study, there was no variation in the task difficulty during the training.…”

“…The experimental setup for this study was similar to the one described in our previous article (Agarwal et al, 2022 ). Participants were seated in front of a backdrivable, two-degree-of-freedom robotic manipulandum called H-man (manufactured and distributed by Articares Pte.…”

“…Trunk postural adaptation to predefined postures while performing a reaching task can be achieved via the use of haptic-based feedback (Agarwal et al, 2022 ). A novel algorithm has been developed to vary the task difficulty during postural training.…”

“…The standard deviation of the trunk posture for a healthy population was determined from the baseline measurement of the data collected in the previous study (Agarwal et al, 2022 ). In that study, 24 healthy participants performed a reaching task using H-Man.…”

“…Where σ h represents the standard deviation of trunk posture for a healthy population σ h = 0.92, and c is a constant to determine the initial difficulty in terms of standard deviation (c = 12). The standard deviation of the trunk posture for a healthy population was determined from the baseline measurement of the data collected in the previous study (Agarwal et al, 2022). In that study, 24 healthy participants performed a reaching task using H-Man.…”