Article

This article provides rehabilitation professionals and engineers with a
theoretical and pragmatic rationale for the inclusion of haptic feedback in the
rehabilitation of central nervous system disorders affecting the hand. METHOD: A
narrative review of haptic devices used in sensorimotor hand rehabilitation was
undertaken. Presented papers were selected to outline and clarify the underlying
somatosensory mechanisms underpinning these technologies and provide exemplars of
the evidence to date.
RESULTS: Haptic devices provide kinaesthetic and/or tactile
stimulation. Kinaesthetic haptics are beginning to be incorporated in central
nervous system rehabilitation; however, there has been limited development of
tactile haptics. Clinical research in haptic rehabilitation of the hand is
embryonic but initial findings indicate potential clinical benefit. CONCLUSIONS:
Haptic rehabilitation offers the potential to advance sensorimotor hand
rehabilitation but both scientific and pragmatic developments are needed to ensure that its potential is realized.

Langue : ANGLAIS