Name: a vibrotactile feedback device for seated balance assessment and training
Uploaded: 2019-01-20T13:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Vibrotactile Feedback Device for Seated Balance Assessment and Training at JoVE.com

The authors acknowledge the design efforts of the undergraduate students Animesh Singh Kumawat, Kshitij Agarwal, Quinn Boser, Benjamin Cheung, Caroline Collins, Sarah Lojczyc, Derek Schlenker, Katherine Schoepp, and Arthur Zielinski.&#160;This study was partially funded through a Discovery Grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (RGPIN-2014-04666).

All methods described here have been approved by the Health Research Ethics Board of the University of Alberta.
1. Construction and Assembly of Structural Components
<ol>
	<li>Construct an attachment interface for interchangeable hemispherical bases: weld a base nut to a steel weld plate.&#160;</li>
	<li>Use a computer numerical controlled (CNC) milling machine to construct a cylindrical chassis, lid, and base from polyethylene as shown in Figure 1. Bolt the bas...

<ol>
	<li>Behm, D. G., Muehlbauer, T., Kibele, A., Granacher, U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+Strength+Training+Using+Unstable+Surfaces+on+Strength,+Power+and+Balance+Performance+Across+the+Lifespan:+A+Systematic+Review+and+Meta-analysis.">Effects of Strength Training Using Unstable Surfaces on Strength, Power and Balance Performance Across the Lifespan: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.</a> Sports Medicine. 45, 1645-1669 (2015).</li><li>Larivi&#232;re, C., Mecheri, H., Shahvarpour, A., Gagnon, D., Shirazi-Adl, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Criterion+validity+and+between-day+reliability+of+an+inertial-sensor-based+trunk+postural+stability+test+during+unstable+sitting.">Criterion validity and between-day reliability of an inertial-sensor-based trunk postural stability test during unstable sitting.</a> Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 23, 899-907 (2013).</li><li>Paillard, T., No&#233;, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Techniques+and+Methods+for+Testing+the+Postural+Function+in+Healthy+and+Pathological+Subjects.">Techniques and Methods for Testing the Postural Function in Healthy and Pathological Subjects.</a> BioMed Research International. 2015, (2015).</li><li>Williams, J., Bentman, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+investigation+into+the+reliability+and+variability+of+wobble+board+performance+in+a+healthy+population+using+the+SMARTwobble+instrumented+wobble+board.">An investigation into the reliability and variability of wobble board performance in a healthy population using the SMARTwobble instrumented wobble board.</a> Physical Therapy in Sport. 25, 108 (2017).</li><li>Wall, C., Kentala, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+displacement,+velocity,+and+combined+vibrotactile+tilt+feedback+on+postural+control+of+vestibulopathic+subjects.">Effect of displacement, velocity, and combined vibrotactile tilt feedback on postural control of vestibulopathic subjects.</a> Journal of Vestibular Research. 20, 61-69 (2010).</li><li>Alahakone, A. U., Arosha Senanayake, ., N, S. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vibrotactile+feedback+systems:+Current+trends+in+rehabilitation,+sports+and+information+display.">Vibrotactile feedback systems: Current trends in rehabilitation, sports and information display.</a> IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics. , 1148-1153 (2009).</li><li>Shull, P. B., Damian, D. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Haptic+wearables+as+sensory+replacement,+sensory+augmentation+and+trainer+-+a+review.">Haptic wearables as sensory replacement, sensory augmentation and trainer - a review.</a> Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. 12, 12-59 (2015).</li><li>Prieto, T. E., Myklebust, J. B., Hoffmann, R. G., Lovett, E. G., Myklebust, B. 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P., Cholewicki, J., Radebold, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effects+of+visual+input+on+postural+control+of+the+lumbar+spine+in+unstable+sitting.">The effects of visual input on postural control of the lumbar spine in unstable sitting.</a> Human Movement Science. 22, 237-252 (2003).</li><li>Loughlin, P., Mahboobin, A., Furman, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Designing+vibrotactile+balance+feedback+for+desired+body+sway+reductions.">Designing vibrotactile balance feedback for desired body sway reductions.</a> Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. , 1310-1313 (2011).</li><li>Goodworth, A. D., Wall, C., Peterka, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Influence+of+feedback+parameters+on+performance+of+a+vibrotactile+balance+prosthesis.">Influence of feedback parameters on performance of a vibrotactile balance prosthesis.</a> IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering. 17, 397-408 (2009).</li><li>Marchal-Crespo, L., Reinkensmeyer, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Review+of+control+strategies+for+robotic+movement+training+after+neurologic+injury.">Review of control strategies for robotic movement training after neurologic injury.</a> Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. 6, 20-35 (2009).</li><li>Lee, B., Kim, J., Chen, S., Sienko, K. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cell+phone+based+balance+trainer.">Cell phone based balance trainer.</a> Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. 9, 1-14 (2012).</li><li>Sienko, K. H., Balkwill, M. D., Wall, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biofeedback+improves+postural+control+recovery+from+multi-axis+discrete+perturbations.">Biofeedback improves postural control recovery from multi-axis discrete perturbations.</a> Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. 9, 53-64 (2012).</li><li>Williams, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Design+and+Evaluation+of+an+Instrumented+Wobble+Board+for+Assessing+and+Training+Dynamic+Seated+Balance.">Design and Evaluation of an Instrumented Wobble Board for Assessing and Training Dynamic Seated Balance.</a> Journal of Biomechanical Engineering. 140, 1-10 (2017).</li><li>van Die&#235;n, J. H., Koppes, L. L. J., Twisk, J. W. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Postural+sway+parameters+in+seated+balancing;+their+reliability+and+relationship+with+balancing+performance.">Postural sway parameters in seated balancing; their reliability and relationship with balancing performance.</a> Gait Posture. 31, 42-46 (2010).</li><li>Sigrist, R., Rauter, G., Riener, R., Wolf, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Augmented+visual,+auditory,+haptic,+and+multimodal+feedback+in+motor+learning:+A+review.">Augmented visual, auditory, haptic, and multimodal feedback in motor learning: A review.</a> Psychonomic Bulletin and Review. 20, 21-53 (2013).</li></ol>

Methods for constructing a portable, instrumented, sitting device are presented. The device is portable and durable, building on previous studies of wobble chairs2,4 and vibrational feedback5,6,7 to make the benefits of these tools more powerful and accessible. Follow the assembly protocol in reverse to prepare the device for transportation or storage. The difficulty of ...

Upright sitting is a prerequisite for other human sensorimotor functions, including skilled movements (e.g., typing) and perturbed balance tasks (e.g., riding on a train). To rehabilitate and improve sitting and related functions, modern balance training techniques are used: unstable surfaces perturb sitting1,2 and motion tracking quantifies balance proficiency3,4. Balance training outcomes improve when vibration is delivered to the body using patterns that match performance5. Such sensory feedback is evidently effective as a rehabilitation and training method; yet, current sensory feedback methods are geared towards standing balance and require laboratory-based equipment6,7.
The purpose of the work presented here is to build a portable device that can be sat upon and passively destabilized to various degrees while built-in instruments record its position and deliver vibrational feedback to the sitting surface. This combination of tools integrates previous work on wobble chairs2,4 and vibrational feedback5,6,7, making the benefits of these tools more powerful and accessible. Also presented are a procedure to train upright sitting and an analysis of the quantitative outcomes, following the established literature on posturographic measures8. These methods are appropriate for studying the effects of sitting balance exercise with an unstable surface when combined with vibrational feedback. Anticipated applications include sports training, general improvement of motor coordination, assessment of balance proficiency, and rehabilitation following skeletal, muscular, or neurological injury.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Chassis</td>
			<td>McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>8657K421</td>
			<td>Moisture-Resistant LDPE Polyethylene Sheet 1-1/2&#34; Thick, 24&#34; X 24&#34;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lid</td>
			<td>McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>8657K414</td>
			<td>Moisture-Resistant LDPE Polyethylene Sheet 1/4&#34; Thick, 24&#34; X 24&#34;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Base</td>
			<td>McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>8657K414</td>
			<td>Moisture-Resistant LDPE Polyethylene Sheet 1/4&#34; Thick, 24&#34; X 24&#34;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Grip-Tape</td>
			<td>McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>6243T471</td>
			<td>Nonabrasive Antislip Tape, Textured, 6&#34; Wide Strip, 2&#39; Long, Black</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Base Nut</td>
			<td>McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>90596A039</td>
			<td>Steel Round-Base Weld Nut, 5/8&#34;-11 Thread Size</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Weld Plate</td>
			<td>McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>1388K142</td>
			<td>Low-Carbon Steel Sheet 1/16&#34; Thick, 3&#34; X 3&#34;, Ground Finish</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Threaded Rod</td>
			<td>McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>90322A170</td>
			<td>3&#34; 5/16&#34;-18 Medium-Strength Alloy Steel Threaded Stud</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sleeve</td>
			<td>McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>8745K19</td>
			<td>Chemical-Resistant PVC (Type I) Rod 1-1/4&#34; Diameter</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Square Flange</td>
			<td>McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>8910K395</td>
			<td>Low Carbon Steel Bar, 1/8&#34; Thick, 1&#34; Wide</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hitch</td>
			<td>McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>4931T123</td>
			<td>Bolt-Together Framing Heavy-Duty Steel, 1-1/2&#34; Square</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Curved Base</td>
			<td>McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>8745K48</td>
			<td>PVC Rod, 6&#34; Diameter</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hitch Insert</td>
			<td>McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>6535K313</td>
			<td>Bolt-Together Framing Heavy-Duty Steel, 1&#34; Square</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Extrusion</td>
			<td>McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>6545K7</td>
			<td>1045 Cold Drawn Steel Square Bar Stock, 1&#39; X 1&#34; Wide, Unpolished</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Clamp</td>
			<td>Vlier</td>
			<td>TH103A</td>
			<td>Adjustable Torque Knob</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Footrest</td>
			<td>McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>6582K431</td>
			<td>4130 Steel Tubing, 1&#34; X 1&#34; Wide, 0.065&#34; Wall Thickness, Unpolished Mill Finish</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Counterwieght</td>
			<td>McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>8910K67</td>
			<td>Low-Carbon Steel Rectangular Bar 1-1/8&#34; Thick, 4&#34; Width</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Clevis Pin</td>
			<td>McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>97245A616</td>
			<td>Zinc-Plated Steel Clevis Pin with Hairpin Cotter Pin, 3/16&#34; Diameter, 1-9/16&#34; Usable Length</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microprocessor</td>
			<td>Arduino</td>
			<td>MEGA 2560</td>
			<td>Microcontroller board with 54 digital I/O pins and USB connection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Inertial Measurement Unit</td>
			<td>x-io Technologies Ltd.</td>
			<td>x-IMU</td>
			<td>Inertial Measurement Unit and Attitude Heading Reference System with enclosure</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vibrating Tactor</td>
			<td>Precision Microdrives</td>
			<td>DEV-11008</td>
			<td>Lilypad Vibe Board, available from SparkFun Electronics</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a vibrotactile feedback device for seated balance assessment and training

Postural perturbations, motion tracking, and sensory feedback are modern techniques used to challenge, assess, and train upright sitting, respectively. The goal of the developed protocol is to construct and operate a sitting platform that can be passively destabilized while an inertial measurement unit quantifies its motion and vibrating elements deliver tactile feedback to the user. Interchangeable seat attachments alter the stability level of the device to safely challenge sitting balance. A built-in microcontroller allows fine-tuning of the feedback parameters to augment sensory function. Posturographic measures, typical of balance assessment protocols, summarize the motion signals acquired during timed balance trials. No dynamic sitting protocol to date provides variable challenge, quantification, and sensory feedback free of laboratory constraints. Our results demonstrate that non-disabled users of the device exhibit significant changes in posturographic measures when balance difficulty is altered or vibrational feedback provided. The portable, versatile device has potential applications in rehabilitation (following skeletal, muscular, or neurological injury), training (for sports or spatial awareness), entertainment (via virtual or augmented reality), and research (of sitting-related disorders).

Table 2 shows, for each experimental condition, the posturographic measures derived from observations of the AP and ML support surface tilts, averaged over 144 balance trials performed by 12 participants (2 x 2 x 3 trials per participant).
Effect of Changing the Balance Condition: The base condition was chosen to be dependent on the eye condition (i.e., when the eyes were closed, the ba...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Vibrotactile Feedback Device for Seated Balance Assessment and Training at JoVE.com

A Vibrotactile Feedback Device for Seated Balance Assessment and Training

A sitting platform has been developed and assembled that passively destabilizes sitting posture in humans. During the user&#39;s stabilizing task, an inertial measurement unit records the device&#39;s motion, and vibrating elements deliver performance-based feedback to the seat. The portable, versatile device may be used in rehabilitation, assessment, and training paradigms.

Postural perturbations, motion tracking, and sensory feedback are modern techniques used to challenge, assess, and train upright sitting, respectively. ...

Many people suffer from seated instability, which can compromise functional independence and lead to secondary health complications. Our protocol holds the potential to assess, challenge, and improve balance during sitting. Our technique combines elements of existing balance research tools into one novel device that is optimized for clinical use and accessibility.Individuals who suffer under a newer muscular impairment may struggle to maintain seated balance. Our protocol provides access to assessment and training techniques that are known to benefit balance rehabilitation outcomes. This protocol can be applied to investigate balance control mechanisms and to optimize sensory feedback methods.New users of this protocol should be sure to use our supplemental drawing and solid model files to produce a working replica of the device. At the beginning, weld a base nut to a steel plate to construct an attachment interface for interchangeable, hemispherical bases. Using a computer numerical controlled, or CNC milling machine, construct a cylindrical chassis, lid, and base from polyethylene, then bolt the base plate to the base, and place the chassis on the base.Use the milling machine to construct a 37mm-long, 32mm outer diameter cylindrical polyvinyl chloride sleeve that fits onto a threaded rod. After welding steel flanges to each side of a steel hitch, bolt the hitch to the front of the base. Use a CNC turning machine to construct five identical 63mm-high, 152mm diameter polyethylene cylinders.In the center of the top surface of each cylinder, cut a 32mm hole to a depth of 38mm so that it fits the cylindrical sleeve with some interference. On the bottom surface of each cylinder, use the CNC turning machine to cut a uniformly curved base with the unique radius of curvature for each of the five cylinders, maintaining the overall height of 63mm. To construct the leg support attachment, first weld a 70mm steel hitch insert perpendicularly to one end of a 575mm steel extrusion.At the other end, clamp a 300mm cylindrical steel footrest to the extrusion. Use a bandsaw to cut a rectangular 29 by 100mm steel bar to a length of approximately 160mm so that it weighs 3.6kg. Insert the steel bar at the back of the chassis to counterbalance the leg support attachment, and assemble the device.Insert the clevis pins through the hitch and the hitch insert to connect the leg support. Then adjust the location of the clamp to the desired footrest height. Thread the rod into the base stud, such that approximately 35mm of the rod protrudes from the base, and insert the protruding rod into the desired curved base.Apply the grip tape to the lid, and cover the device with the lid. To instrument the device, connect an inertial measurement unit and eight vibrating tachters to a microcontroller. Program the microcontroller such that it reads anteroposterior and mediolateral tilt angles from the inertial measurement unit, and turns the vibrating tachters on or off based on the tilt angles.Secure the inertial measurement unit in the center of the chassis and arrange the vibrating tachters in a regular octagon with a radius of 10cm, centered 8cm anterior of the center of the chassis, so that they will lie under the seat of an average sized person. Then connect the microcontroller to a computer, and open the software user interface. To conduct the balance experiments, recruit consenting participants who are free of neurological and musculoskeletal disorders, and acute or chronic back pain, and record each participant's age, weight, and height.Next, open the user interface. The compass graph shows the tilt angle of the device, plus half the tilt velocity of the device in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions. Prior to each balance trial, instruct the participant to don noise-canceling headphones, fold their arms across their chest, maintain an upright posture as much as possible, and verbally cue when they are ready.Use the dropdown menus in the trial parameter section of the user interface to label the current difficulty and eye condition, and click record to start the trial. For trials with eyes open, instruct the participant to focus on a fixed point straight ahead to help maintain balance. For trials with eyes closed, use a blindfold to ensure that the participant is completely deprived of visual feedback.Perform 20 30 second seated balance trials in series, taking breaks as warranted to avoid fatigue, and stopping at any time if necessary. An algorithm will compute which anteroposterior and mediolateral feedback thresholds to use and display the thresholds in the Q3 column of the user interface. The vibrotactile feedback thresholds can be optimized to provide feedback cues on direction and timing that are tailored toward a given task or goal.After four familiarization trials, copy the values in the Q3 column into the right column and click refresh to update the feedback thresholds shown on the compass graph based on the fourth familiarization trial. As the anteroposterior and mediolateral tilt angles are automatically stored in real time in a text file for analysis, analyze the anteroposterior and mediolateral signals to characterize the sitting performance for each of the experimental conditions. This table shows the postero-graphic measures derived from anteroposterior and mediolateral support surface tilts averaged for 144 balance trials, and performed by 12 participants under each experimental condition.Observations of anteroposterior tilt were significantly different between the eye open and eye closed balance conditions for the root-mean-square, centroidal frequency, and frequency dispersion. Consistent with other reports, these postero-graphic measures can discriminate between balance tasks during trials in which the vibrotactile feedback system was active. The centroidal frequency of the anteroposterior tilt observations was significantly higher than during the control trials.Consistent with other reports, this vibrotactile feedback protocol has a measurable effect on balance performance. All structural components have a corresponding solid model and drawing that are available for download and can be used to replicate the construction process. The procedure can be used to test hypotheses regarding the fundamental nature of dynamic upright sitting and the effectiveness of vibrotactile feedback as a balance training technique.This research provides a critical foundation for future work on clinical assessment and training tools for populations with impaired seated balance to improve their quality of life. The power tools used to construct this device may cause bodily harm;please follow all safety protocols.

a-vibrotactile-feedback-device-for-seated-balance-assessment

Research

JoVE Journal

Behavior

Use of the Operant Orofacial Pain Assessment Device (OPAD) to Measure Changes in Nociceptive Behavior

We present an operant system for the detection of pain in awake, conscious rodents. The Orofacial Pain Assessment Device (OPAD) assesses pain behaviors in a more clinically relevant way by not relying on reflex-based measures of nociception. Food fasted, hairless (or shaved) rodents are placed into a Plexiglas chamber which has two Peltier-based thermodes that can be programmed to any temperature between 7 &deg;C and 60 &deg;C. The rodent is trained to make contact with these in order to access a reward bottle. During a session, a number of behavioral pain outcomes are automatically recorded and saved. These measures include the number of reward bottle activations (licks) and facial contact stimuli (face contacts), but custom measures like the lick/face ratio (total number of licks per session/total number of contacts) can also be created. The stimulus temperature can be set to a single temperature or multiple temperatures within a session. The OPAD is a high-throughput, easy to use operant assay which will lead to better translation of pain research in the future as it includes cortical input instead of relying on spinal reflex-based nociceptive assays.

Use of the Operant Orofacial Pain Assessment Device OPAD to Measure Changes in Nociceptive Behavior

We present a user-friendly, high-throughput operant system for the evaluation of pain behaviors in awake, conscious rodents. The Orofacial Pain Assessment Device (OPAD) can assess pain through a reward/conflict paradigm thus providing a more humane way of testing. This protocol will yield more clinically relevant and translational data from rodents.

We present an operant  system for the detection of pain in awake, conscious rodents. The Orofacial  Pain Assessment Device (OPAD) assesses pain behaviors ...

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device (ALDM) Test Systems

Fagot &#38; Paleressompoulle1 and Fagot &#38; Bonte2 have published an automated learning device (ALDM) for the study of cognitive abilities of monkeys maintained in semi-free ranging conditions. Data accumulated during the last five years have consistently demonstrated the efficiency of this protocol to investigate individual/physical cognition in monkeys, and have further shown that this procedure reduces stress level during animal testing3. This paper demonstrates that networks of ALDM can also be used to investigate different facets of social cognition and in-group expressed behaviors in monkeys, and describes three illustrative protocols developed for that purpose. The first study demonstrates how ethological assessments of social behavior and computerized assessments of cognitive performance could be integrated to investigate the effects of socially exhibited moods on the cognitive performance of individuals. The second study shows that batteries of ALDM running in parallel can provide unique information on the influence of the presence of others on task performance. Finally, the last study shows that networks of ALDM test units can also be used to study issues related to social transmission and cultural evolution. Combined together, these three studies demonstrate clearly that ALDM testing is a highly promising experimental tool for bridging the gap in the animal literature between research on individual cognition and research on social cognition.

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device ALDM Test Systems

Fagot &#38; Paleressompoulle1 have published an automated learning device (ALDM) aimed at testing individual cognitive abilities in semi-free ranging monkeys. The main goal of our protocol is to use a network of ALDM test units to study social cognition in non-human primates.

Fagot &#38; Paleressompoulle1 and Fagot &#38; Bonte2 have published an automated learning device (ALDM) for the study of cognitive abilities of monkeys ...

Combined Shuttle-Box Training with Electrophysiological Cortex Recording and Stimulation as a Tool to Study Perception and Learning

Shuttle-box avoidance learning is a well-established method in behavioral neuroscience and experimental setups were traditionally custom-made; the necessary equipment is now available by several commercial companies. This protocol provides a detailed description of a two-way shuttle-box avoidance learning paradigm in rodents (here Mongolian gerbils; Meriones unguiculatus) in combination with site-specific electrical intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) and simultaneous chronical electrophysiological in vivo recordings. The detailed protocol is applicable to study multiple aspects of learning behavior and perception in different rodent species.
Site-specific ICMS of auditory cortical circuits as conditioned stimuli here is used as a tool to test the perceptual relevance of specific afferent, efferent and intracortical connections. Distinct activation patterns can be evoked by using different stimulation electrode arrays for local, layer-dependent ICMS or distant ICMS sites. Utilizing behavioral signal detection analysis it can be determined which stimulation strategy is most effective for eliciting a behaviorally detectable and salient signal. Further, parallel multichannel-recordings using different electrode designs (surface electrodes, depth electrodes, etc.) allow for investigating neuronal observables over the time course of such learning processes. It will be discussed how changes of the behavioral design can increase the cognitive complexity (e.g. detection, discrimination, reversal learning).

Shuttle-box avoidance learning is well-established in behavioral neuroscience. This protocol describes how shuttle-box learning in rodents can be combined with site-specific electrical intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) and simultaneous chronical in vivo recordings as a tool to study multiple aspects of learning and perception.

Shuttle-box avoidance learning is a well-established method in behavioral neuroscience and experimental setups were traditionally custom-made; the ...

Feeding Experimentation Device (FED): Construction and Validation of an Open-source Device for Measuring Food Intake in Rodents

Food intake measurements are essential for many research studies. Here, we provide a detailed description of a novel solution for measuring food intake in mice: the Feeding Experimentation Device (FED). FED is an open-source system that was designed to facilitate flexibility in food intake studies. Due to its compact and battery powered design, FED can be placed within standard home cages or other experimental equipment. Food intake measurements can also be synchronized with other equipment in real-time via FED's transistor-transistor logic (TTL) digital output, or in post-acquisition processing as FED timestamps every event with a real-time clock. When in use, a food pellet sits within FED's food well where it is monitored via an infrared beam. When the pellet is removed by the mouse, FED logs the timestamp onto its internal secure digital (SD) card and dispenses another pellet. FED can run for up to 5 days before it is necessary to charge the battery and refill the pellet hopper, minimizing human interference in data collection. Assembly of FED requires minimal engineering background, and off-the-shelf materials and electronics were prioritized in its construction. We also provide scripts for analysis of food intake and meal patterns. Finally, FED is open-source and all design and construction files are online, to facilitate modifications and improvements by other researchers.

Feeding Experimentation Device FED: Construction and Validation of an Open-source Device for Measuring Food Intake in Rodents

Feeding Experimentation Device (FED) is an open-source device for measuring food intake in mice. FED can also synchronize food intake measurements with other techniques via a real-time digital output. Here, we provide a step-by-step tutorial for the construction, validation, and usage of FED.

Food intake measurements are essential for many research studies. Here, we provide a detailed description of a novel solution for measuring food intake in ...

Introducing Clicker Training as a Cognitive Enrichment for Laboratory Mice

Establishing new refinement strategies in laboratory animal science is a central goal in fulfilling the requirements of Directive 2010/63/EU. Previous research determined a profound impact of gentle handling protocols on the well-being of laboratory mice. By introducing clicker training to the keeping of mice, not only do we promote the amicable treatment of mice, but we also enable them to experience cognitive enrichment. Clicker training is a form of positive reinforcement training using a conditioned secondary reinforcer, the "click" sound of a clicker, which serves as a time bridge between the strengthened behavior and an upcoming reward. The effective implementation of the clicker training protocol with a cohort of 12 BALB/c inbred mice of each sex proved to be uncomplicated. The mice learned rather quickly when challenged with tasks of the clicker training protocol, and almost all trained mice overcame the challenges they were given (100% of female mice and 83% of male mice). This study has identified that clicker training for mice strongly correlates with reduced fear in the mice during human-mice interactions, as shown by reduced anxiety-related behaviors (e.g., defecation, vocalization, and urination) and fewer depression-like behaviors (e.g., floating). By developing a reliable protocol that can be easily integrated into the daily routine of the keeping of laboratory mice, the lifetime experience of welfare in the mice can be improved substantially.

The development of new refinement strategies for laboratory mice is a challenging task that contributes towards fulfilling the 3R principle. This protocol introduces clicker training as a cognitive enrichment program for laboratory mice.

Establishing new refinement strategies in laboratory animal science is a central goal in fulfilling the requirements of Directive 2010/63/EU. Previous ...

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System

Subjects eat food from a plate that sits on a scale connected to a computer that records the weight loss of the plate during the meal and makes up a curve of food intake, meal duration and rate of eating modeled by a quadratic equation. The purpose of the method is to change eating behavior by providing visual feedback on the computer screen that the subject can adapt to because her/his own rate of eating appears on the screen during the meal. The data generated by the method is automatically analyzed and fitted to the quadratic equation using a custom made algorithm. The method has the advantage of recording eating behavior objectively and offers the possibility of changing eating behavior both in experiments and in clinical practice. A limitation may be that experimental subjects are affected by the method. The same limitation may be an advantage in clinical practice, as eating behavior is more easily stabilized by the method. A treatment that uses this method has normalized body weight and restored the health of several hundred patients with anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders and has reduced the weight and improved the health of severely overweight patients.

Subjects eat food from a plate placed on a scale connected to a computer that records the weight loss of the plate during the meal. Feedback on the computer screen allows the subject to adapt her/his eating behavior to reference curves thus normalizing body weight.

Subjects eat food from a plate that sits on a scale connected to a computer that records the weight loss of the plate during the meal and makes up a curve ...

Short Session High Intensity Interval Training and Treadmill Assessment in Aged Mice

High intensity interval training (HIIT) is emerging as a therapeutic approach to prevent, delay, or ameliorate frailty. In particular short session HIIT, with regimens less than or equal to 10 min is of particular interest as several human studies feature routines as short as a few minutes a couple times a week. However, there is a paucity of animal studies that model the impacts of short session HIIT. Here, we describe a methodology for an individually tailored and progressive short session HIIT regimen of 10 min given 3 days a week for aged mice using an inclined treadmill. Our methodology also includes protocols for treadmill assessment. Mice are initially acclimatized to the treadmill and then given baseline flat and uphill treadmill assessments. Exercise sessions begin with a 3 min warm-up, then three intervals of 1 min at a fast pace, followed by 1 min at an active recovery pace. Following these intervals, the mice are given a final segment that starts at the fast pace and accelerates for 1 min. The HIIT protocol is individually tailored as the speed and intensity for each mouse are determined based upon initial anaerobic assessment scores. Additionally, we detail the conditions for increasing or decreasing the intensity for individual mice depending on performance. Finally, intensity is increased for all mice every two weeks. We previously reported in this protocol enhanced physical performance in aged male mice and here show it also increases treadmill performance in aged female mice. Advantages of our protocol include low administration time (about 15 min per 6 mice, 3 days a week), strategy for individualizing for mice to better model prescribed exercise, and a modular design that allows for the addition or removal of the number and length of intervals to titrate exercise benefits.

Short session (&#8804;10 min) high intensity interval training (HIIT) is emerging as an alternative to longer exercise modalities, yet the shorter variants are rarely modeled in animal studies. Here, we describe a 10 min, 3 day a week, uphill treadmill HIIT protocol that enhances physical performance in male and female aged mice.

High intensity interval training (HIIT) is emerging as a therapeutic approach to prevent, delay, or ameliorate frailty. In particular short session HIIT, ...

A Modified Lean and Release Technique to Emphasize Response Inhibition and Action Selection in Reactive Balance

Assessment of reactive balance traditionally imposes some type of perturbation to upright stance or gait followed by measurement of the resultant corrective behavior. These measures include muscle responses, limb movements, ground reaction forces, and even direct neurophysiological measures such as electroencephalography. Using this approach, researchers and clinicians can infer some basic principles regarding how the nervous system controls balance to avoid a fall. One limitation with the way in which these assessments are currently used is that they heavily emphasize reflexive actions without any need to revise automatic postural reactions. Such an exclusive focus on these highly stereotypical reactions would fail to adequately address how we can modify these reactions should the need arise (e.g., avoiding an obstacle with a recovery step). This would appear to be a glaring omission when one considers the enormous complexity of the environments we face daily. Overall, the status quo when evaluating the neural control of balance fails to truly expose how higher brain resources contribute to preventing falls in complex settings. The present protocol offers a way to require suppression of automatic, but inappropriate corrective balance reactions, and force a selection among alternative action choices to successfully recover balance following postural perturbation.

Here we offer a protocol that allows the user to selectively change affordances and/or constraints on movements that are relevant for recovering balance after postural perturbation.

Assessment of reactive balance traditionally imposes some type of perturbation to upright stance or gait followed by measurement of the resultant ...

Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment

The efficacy of cognitive training interventions is recently highly debated. There is no consensus on what kind of training regimen is the most effective. Also, individual characteristics as predictors of training outcome are still being investigated. In this article, we show the attempt to address this issue by examining not only the impact of working memory (WM) training on cognitive effectiveness in older adults but also the influence of the initial WM capacity (WMC) on the training&#39;s outcome. We describe in detail how to perform 5 weeks of an adaptive dual n-back training with an active control group (memory quiz). We are focusing here on technical aspects of the training as well as on the initial assessment of participants&#39; WMC. The evaluation of pre and post training performance of other cognitive dimensions was based on the results of tests of memory updating, inhibition, attention shifting, short-term memory (STM) and reasoning. We have found that the initial level of WMC predicts the efficiency of the n-back training intervention. We have also noticed the post training improvement in almost all aspects of cognitive functioning we measured, but those effects were mostly intervention independent.

A cognitive training intervention in elderly population together with the assessment of the pre training cognitive abilities is presented. We show two versions of training - experimental and active control - and demonstrate their effects on the array of cognitive tests.

The efficacy of cognitive training interventions is recently highly debated. There is no consensus on what kind of training regimen is the most effective. ...

Implementing Vestibular Disorder Screening Tests

Screening People on Standing Balance with Romberg Testing and Walking Balance with Tandem Walking

The goal of this protocol is to inform readers about the exact procedures to use to perform two screening tests for vestibular disorders: tandem walking (TW) with eyes closed, also known as heel-toe walking, and the Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance (CTSIB), which is also known as the modified Romberg. The study describes the steps for performing each test and each of the three CTSIB subtests so that the reader will be able to replicate the test conditions for use in the clinic, in the clinical laboratory, or in any other situation needing valid and reliable screening for balance skill which might be affected by changes in vestibular system function. The procedures detailed here can be easily administered and take less than 1 min per trial. References to published papers with normative data are provided. The representative results section includes examples of data collected with these screening tests.

Author Spotlight: Developing Low-Tech Balance Assessment Methods for Broad-Spectrum Healthcare Applications 

This article describes procedures for screening people for standing and walking balance impairments using two normed, rapid, low-tech balance tests.

The goal of this protocol is to inform readers about the exact procedures to use to perform two screening tests for vestibular disorders: tandem walking ...