Masters Applied Projects

Project 33

Evaluation of Memory Bias in Proprioception Testing


Student:
Zachary Smith

Mentors:

Dr. Stephen Helms Tillery, PhD - Arizona State University, SBHSE
Dr. Sydney Schaefer, PhD - Arizona State University, SBHSE
Dr. Justin Tanner, PhD – Arizona State University, SBHSE

YouTube Link:
View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting

Zoom Link:
https://asu.zoom.us/j/9268804768


Abstract
In recent decades, a fundamental shift has occurred in the research field of human movement. This has occurred as the importance of the role sensory information plays in neuroplasticity has become more apparent. This development coupled with recent technological advances has left the field poised to explode with new development in both the equipment used and the tests applied when evaluating components of human movement. This is especially the case with the evaluation of what is called proprioception which, simply put, is the awareness or perception of the position of the body or any movements it undergoes. With recent advancements in the field, it can now be argued that the most important source for the promotion of task-specific neuro development is proprioception. However, many of the tests commonly relied upon for the evaluation of proprioception are dated and introduce components, such as memory, that can skew data. The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of memory utilizing a VR integrated motion capture laboratory developed by my colleague Cade Montplaisir. The lab uses VR to implement tests that remove the memory component of previously applied tests. The results of this test can then be compared against the results of the pre-existing test model in which the memory component is still present. By analyzing and comparing the results of these to test we are able to visualize and evaluate the effect memory has on such tasks. This will allow some insight into the effect of memory on proprioception and its associated neuro pathways.