| 1. |
- Boudreau, Shellie A., et al.
(author)
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Features of cortical neuroplasticity associated with multidirectional novel motor skill training: a TMS mapping study
- 2013
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In: Experimental Brain Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0014-4819 .- 1432-1106. ; 225:4, s. 513-526
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Given the evidence that the primary motor cortex (MI) consists of subpopulations of upper motor neurons tuned to different directional parameters of a motor movement, this study hypothesized that novel motor skill training involving either a bidirectional or more complex multidirectional tongue-typing movement should produce distinct training-related features of tongue MI neuroplasticity in humans. Novel motor skill training consisted of tongue typing using custom-made intra-oral keypads for 30-min over two consecutive days. The bidirectional keypad consisted of three sensors positioned along the upper palatal midline as a 3 x 1 array, whereas the multidirectional keypad consisted of nine sensors arranged as a 3 x 3 array that was centred along the upper palatal midline. Each sensor corresponded to one letter and participants were asked to type sequences of letters by accurately placing the tongue over the correct sensor. Before and after each training session, excitability of the tongue MI was assessed with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-motor evoked potentials (MEPs) over 13 motor map sites and TMS-MEP stimulus-response curves were constructed for the first dorsal interosseous (FDI, as an internal control). Tongue-typing performance improved within and across training days for both groups; although bidirectional training displayed greater success. Bidirectional and multidirectional training were associated with increases and decreases in a number of cortical motor map sites from where tongue activity could be evoked, however; multidirectional training was associated with a greater number of cortical motor map sites with increased excitability and a shift in the centre of gravity of the motor map. No effects of training were found on the FDI TMS-MEP stimulus-response curves. This study revealed distinct training-related features of tongue MI neuroplasticity and proposes that a greater amount of functionally related neuronal populations may be 'trained' by the inclusion of different and more complex directional parameters within a novel motor task.
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| 2. |
- Caltenco, Héctor, et al.
(author)
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On the tip of the tongue: Learning typing and pointing with an intra-oral interface
- 2014
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In: Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1748-3115 .- 1748-3107. ; 9:4, s. 307-317
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: To evaluate typing and pointing performance and improvement over time of four able-bodied participants using an intra-oral tongue-computer interface for computer control. Background: A physically disabled individual may lack the ability to efficiently control standard computer input devices. There have been several efforts to produce and evaluate interfaces that provide individuals with physical disabilities the possibility to control personal computers. Method: Training with the intra-oral tongue-computer interface was performed by playing games over 18 sessions. Skill improvement was measured through typing and pointing exercises at the end of each training session. Results: Typing throughput improved from averages of 2.36 to 5.43 correct words per minute. Pointing throughput improved from averages of 0.47 to 0.85 bits/s. Target tracking performance, measured as relative time on target, improved from averages of 36% to 47%. Path following throughput improved from averages of 0.31 to 0.83 bits/s and decreased to 0.53 bits/s with more difficult tasks. Conclusions: Learning curves support the notion that the tongue can rapidly learn novel motor tasks. Typing and pointing performance of the tongue-computer interface is comparable to performances of other proficient assistive devices, which makes the tongue a feasible input organ for computer control.
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| 3. |
- Caltenco, Héctor, et al.
(author)
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The Impact of Function Location on Typing and Pointing Tasks With an Intraoral Tongue-Computer Interface
- 2014
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In: International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1532-7590 .- 1044-7318. ; 30:4, s. 267-277
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Intraoral target (typing) and on-screen target (pointing/tracking) selection tasks were performed by 10 participants during 3 consecutive day sessions. Tasks were performed using 2 different intraoral sensor layouts. Reduction of undesired sensor activations while speaking as well as the influence of intraoral temperature variation on the signals of the intraoral interface was investigated. Results showed that intraoral target selection tasks were performed better when the respective sensor was located in the anterior area of the palate, reaching 78 and 16 activations per minute for repetitive and "unordered" sequences, respectively. Virtual target pointing and tracking tasks, of circles of 50, 70, and 100 pixels diameter, showed no significant difference in performance, reaching average pointing throughputs of 0.62 to 0.72 bits per second and relative time on target of 34% to 60%. Speaking tasks caused an average of 10 to 31 involuntary activations per minute in the anterior part of the palate. Intraoral temperature variation between 11.87 degrees C and 51.37 degrees C affected the sensor signal baseline in a range from -25.34% to 48.31%. Results from this study provide key design considerations to further increase the efficiency of tongue-computer interfaces for individuals with upper-limb mobility impairments.
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| 4. |
- Caltenco, Héctor, et al.
(author)
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TongueWise : tongue-computer interface software for people with tetraplegia
- 2010
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In: International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. - 1557-170X. - 9781424441235 ; 32, s. 4534-4537
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Many computer interfaces and assistive devices for people with motor disabilities limit the input dimensionality from user to system, in many cases leading to single switch interfaces where the user can only press one button. This can, either limit the level of direct access to the functionalities of the operating system, or slow down speed of interaction. In this paper we present TongueWise: a software developed for a tongue computer interface that can be activated with the tip of the tongue and that provides direct input that covers most of the standard keyboard and mouse commands.
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| 5. |
- Caltenco, Héctor, et al.
(author)
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Understanding Computer Users With Tetraplegia: Survey of Assistive Technology Users
- 2012
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In: International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1532-7590 .- 1044-7318. ; 28:4, s. 258-268
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An online survey in the form of a questionnaire was conducted to obtain the opinion of computer users with tetraplegia on their current computer interfaces and to assess desirable applications for future independent control using assistive devices. The survey included questions related to information about the respondents' injury/disease, everyday activities and social life, electronic devices and computer programs, evaluation of computer interfaces, and desirable applications for assistive devices. The survey was distributed via tetraplegia associations, magazines, and Internet forums mainly in Denmark and Sweden, but also through other European and American associations. Thirty-one completed questionnaires were collected from individuals with spinal cord injury and other neuromuscular diseases that resulted in tetraplegia. Respondents evaluated gaze and head trackers; speech recognition systems; chin, mouth, and hand joysticks; sip and puff interfaces; and typing sticks. Most interfaces were evaluated in a range from neutral to good. Users expressed a desire for applications to independently control wheelchairs, television sets, doors, and windows. This is, as far as is known, the first study that compares a wide range of current commercial computer interfaces that have been used as part of the users' everyday lives. The answers are useful for designing and developing alternative computer interfaces and assistive devices and for computer-interface users to identify a computer-interface fitting more to his or her needs.
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| 6. |
- Lund, Morten E., et al.
(author)
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Inductive tongue control of powered wheelchairs
- 2010
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In: International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. - 1557-170X. - 9781424441235 ; , s. 3361-3364
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Alternative and effective methods for controlling powered wheelchairs are important to individuals with tetraplegia and similar impairments whom are unable to use the standard joystick. This paper describes a system where tongue movements are used to control a powered wheelchair thus providing users, with high level spinal cord injuries, full control of their wheelchair. The system is based on an inductive tongue control system developed at Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction (SMI), Aalborg University. The system emulates a standard analog joystick in order to interface the wheelchair, thus ensuring that the system works with almost any wheelchair. The total embedment of the tongue interface into the mouth makes the control practically invisible. A fuzzy system combining 8 sensors for directional control allows for multidirectional control of the wheelchair. Preliminary test results show navigation abilities, which are highly competitive when compared to other tongue control system.
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| 7. |
- N. S. Andreasen Struijk, Lotte, et al.
(author)
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Development and functional demonstration of a wireless intraoral inductive tongue computer interface for severely disabled persons
- 2017
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In: Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1748-3107 .- 1748-3115. ; 12:6, s. 631-640
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: Individuals with tetraplegia depend on alternative interfaces in order to control computers and other electronic equipment. Current interfaces are often limited in the number of available control commands, and may compromise the social identity of an individual due to their undesirable appearance. The purpose of this study was to implement an alternative computer interface, which was fully embedded into the oral cavity and which provided multiple control commands. Methods: The development of a wireless, intraoral, inductive tongue computer was described. The interface encompassed a 10-key keypad area and a mouse pad area. This system was embedded wirelessly into the oral cavity of the user. The functionality of the system was demonstrated in two tetraplegic individuals and two able-bodied individuals Results: The system was invisible during use and allowed the user to type on a computer using either the keypad area or the mouse pad. The maximal typing rate was 1.8 s for repetitively typing a correct character with the keypad area and 1.4 s for repetitively typing a correct character with the mouse pad area. Conclusion: The results suggest that this inductive tongue computer interface provides an esthetically acceptable and functionally efficient environmental control for a severely disabled user.Implications for RehabilitationNew Design, Implementation and detection methods for intra oral assistive devices.Demonstration of wireless, powering and encapsulation techniques suitable for intra oral embedment of assistive devices.Demonstration of the functionality of a rechargeable and fully embedded intra oral tongue controlled computer input device.
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