A mechatronic toy for measuring infants’ grasping development

Cecchi, Francesca; Serio, S.M.; Perego, Paolo; Mattoli, Virgilio; Damiani, F.; Laschi, Cecilia; Dario, P.

doi:10.1109/biorob.2008.4762875

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…These methods suffer from several limitations, including examiner subjectivity and incapability of quantifying grasping actions in terms of strength and duration. With the advancement of technological devices, novel methods emerged for assessing motor function in early infancy [ 7 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 18 , 19 , 42 , 43 ]. In particular, grasping behavior was studied in infants in terms of strength and holding time, with some studies proposing novel systems to investigate the relationship of these variables with intrinsic (e.g., infant sex [ 15 ], weight [ 27 ], preterm birth [ 1 ]) and extrinsic factors (e.g., object shape and texture [ 7 ]).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In particular, grasping behavior was studied in infants in terms of strength and holding time, with some studies proposing novel systems to investigate the relationship of these variables with intrinsic (e.g., infant sex [ 15 ], weight [ 27 ], preterm birth [ 1 ]) and extrinsic factors (e.g., object shape and texture [ 7 ]). Moreover, systems for objective assessment of grasping actions were developed to detect early abnormal neuromotor development and based on the premise that this could guide prompt intervention to improve functional outcome [ 43 , 44 ]. The main findings of the state-of-the-art showed a higher grasping strength and pronounced handedness symmetry in males more than females [ 15 ]; a decrease in holding time when the same object was repetitively put in the newborn infant’s hand and an increase when its shape and smoothness changed [ 7 ]; and longer holding times in preterm in comparison to term neonates with significant differences related to sex [ 15 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Existing technological tools developed for measuring grasping in newborn infants can be grouped into devices worn on the examiner’s finger [ 18 ] or those that are directly handled by an infant [ 16 , 18 , 19 , 43 ]. Very few of these systems were also specifically designed to be used by newborn infants in the first days following birth.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

An fMRI Compatible Smart Device for Measuring Palmar Grasping Actions in Newborns

Presti

Dall’Orso

Muceli

et al. 2020

Sensors

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Grasping is one of the first dominant motor behaviors that enable interaction of a newborn infant with its surroundings. Although atypical grasping patterns are considered predictive of neuromotor disorders and injuries, their clinical assessment suffers from examiner subjectivity, and the neuropathophysiology is poorly understood. Therefore, the combination of technology with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) may help to precisely map the brain activity associated with grasping and thus provide important insights into how functional outcomes can be improved following cerebral injury. This work introduces an MR-compatible device (i.e., smart graspable device (SGD)) for detecting grasping actions in newborn infants. Electromagnetic interference immunity (EMI) is achieved using a fiber Bragg grating sensor. Its biocompatibility and absence of electrical signals propagating through the fiber make the safety profile of the SGD particularly favorable for use with fragile infants. Firstly, the SGD design, fabrication, and metrological characterization are described, followed by preliminary assessments on a preterm newborn infant and an adult during an fMRI experiment. The results demonstrate that the combination of the SGD and fMRI can safely and precisely identify the brain activity associated with grasping behavior, which may enable early diagnosis of motor impairment and help guide tailored rehabilitation programs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

An fMRI Compatible Smart Device for Measuring Palmar Grasping Actions in Newborns

Presti

Dall’Orso

Muceli

et al. 2020

Sensors

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…With this in mind, another direction consists of instrumenting toys with sensors, enabling assessment as well as a game-like interface, similar to rehabilitation robots (though without the capability to move a child’s limbs). Early studies summarized in Table 1 have created such “intelligent toys” from familiar toys equipped with light-weight sensors ( 28 – 31 ), that encourage play through goal-orientated activity with regular positive feedback ( 29 , 32 – 35 ). In general, these studies have demonstrated only the feasibility of intelligent toys to derive quantitative movement measures in healthy young infants.…”

Section: Early Infant Motor Development and Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Technology-Aided Assessment of Sensorimotor Function in Early Infancy

2014

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There is a pressing need for new techniques capable of providing accurate information about sensorimotor function during the first 2 years of childhood. Here, we review current clinical methods and challenges for assessing motor function in early infancy, and discuss the potential benefits of applying technology-assisted methods. We also describe how the use of these tools with neuroimaging, and in particular functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), can shed new light on the intra-cerebral processes underlying neurodevelopmental impairment. This knowledge is of particular relevance in the early infant brain, which has an increased capacity for compensatory neural plasticity. Such tools could bring a wealth of knowledge about the underlying pathophysiological processes of diseases such as cerebral palsy; act as biomarkers to monitor the effects of possible therapeutic interventions; and provide clinicians with much needed early diagnostic information.

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“…Currently the studies on infants' motor behaviour are purely clinical, based on functional scales or on the observation of the infant while playing; no quantitative variables are measured or known for diagnosis of possible disturbed development. Instead, analyzing typical infant's development in non-structured environments could be useful to establish standards against which development of infants at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders can be measured, with the aim of detecting early signs of disturbed development [1][2][3][4].…”

Section: Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%