Design of a Manipulandum for Motor Learning

Date

2023-8-16

Author

Okasha, Amr

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Understanding motor learning mechanisms is an active area of research. A finger manipulandum interfaced with a virtual leader-follower mirror game and controlled by an admittance controller is developed and introduced as a medium to study motor learning in humans. Three different motor learning paradigms are studied. Firstly, the effects of the inclusion of assistive or resistive feedback on motor learning are tackled. Then underactuation of virtual dynamics and its effect on learning is discussed. Lastly, the addition of deterministic and stochastic force fields is examined. It is hypothesized that the resistive modes, underactuation, and stochastic force fields aid in the acquisition of motor skills by increasing motor variability and promoting workspace exploration. Empirical evidence is provided to support that the addition of either force field has a positive effect on the motor learning of novice players.

Subject Keywords

Manipulandum, Admittance Control, Motor Learning, Rehabilitation

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/105336

Collections

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis