Wrist joint proprioceptive acuity assessment using inertial and magnetic measurement systems

Abstract

Human wrist proprioception is particularly important due to its role in manual dexterity and associated tasks of daily living. Most studies have focused on testing single degree of freedom joints or were only capable of displacing or moving a joint in a single plane, such as flexion/extension of the wrist. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of both direction and angular level on the accuracy of human wrist position reproduction error. Sixty subjects (all males) without a history of wrist pathology were recruited from a university campus. Subjects performed a position reproduction task in eight directions at three angular levels. The results showed that wrist position reproduction error depends on direction and angular level. Comparable reliability for the intra-observer measurements for wrist range of motion and joint position sense. The orientation of the joint position sense production ellipse is similar to the orientation of the range of motion ellipse, indicating that subjects generated the most accurate in directions where it is easy to generate more range of motion and the lowest accurate in directions where it is not easy to generate more range of motion. Joint position sense decreased in accuracy as the joint angle increased. The position reproduction error depends on the angular level, and subjects overshoot the target angle for the low angular levels (25% range of motion) and undershoot the target angle for high angular levels (75% range of motion). Mapping the human wrist joint position sense ellipse contributes to our understanding of the comprehensive proprioceptive function of the wrist. This technique offers the opportunity to assess all of the directions of proprioceptive function, which in turn may aid in improving therapeutic approaches.

Grip force makes wrist joint position sense worse

“…Our data were consistent with our previous ( Li et al, 2019 ) and other studies ( Marini et al, 2016 , 2017 ; Albanese et al, 2021 ) showing that the wrist position sense is anisotropic across the joint. Our data also showed significantly worse proprioceptive accuracy (higher absolute error values) at 15% MVIC than at 0% MVIC grip force but not precision (variable error) or directionality (constant error).…”

“…Subjects subconsciously produce smaller ranges as an overstretch protective mechanism to guard against mechanical and metabolic damage ( King et al, 2013 ; Li et al, 2020a ). The constant error was respective to the target position ( Goble, 2010 ; Rinderknecht et al, 2016 ; Li et al, 2019 ). Therefore, grip force may not affect constant error.…”

“…Before conducting experiments, the device was validated, and the manufacturer calibration settings were employed. Some studies performed with JPSS have shown satisfactory reliability ( Cutti et al, 2008 ; Parel et al, 2012 ; van den Noort et al, 2014 ; Li et al, 2015 , 2019 , 2020a ; Marini et al, 2017 ). The JPSS sampling frequency used in this investigation was 50 Hz.…”

A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo Control Study on the Effect of a Blood Flow Restriction by an Inflatable Cuff Worn around the Arm on the Wrist Joint Position Sense in Healthy Recreational Athletes

“…In their study, Van de Winckel et al used a valuable JPS measuring instrument called the bimanual wrist manipulandum [ 36 ]. Other authors used wearable sensors [ 37 ]. The wrist JPS could also be assessed using novel devices and systems designed for motion analysis [ 38 ].…”