11.2022 - 02.2026

Definition of a new protocol for evaluating the positional sense of moving limbs

Proprioception is the ability of individuals to perceive where body parts are (position), how they are moving (speed), and what force they are developing. This information is of paramount importance to make the individual produce effective movements. In many neurological pathologies there is a decline in proprioceptive abilities which causes sensorimotor deficits, negatively impacting people's quality of life. The methodologies currently used to evaluate individuals' ability to perceive their body's position are based on protocols that ask the subject to make this evaluation while stationary. However, it is during movement that it becomes crucial to have precise information about where our body parts are. For this reason, this study has as its objective to develop and validate an innovative protocol that allows carrying out an assessment of the sense of limb position while the individual is in motion, comparing it with traditional methodologies. This measurement is carried out using a very simple system of inertial sensors. The results show that the ability to perceive the position of body parts changes when the individual is in motion and depends on the speed at which they are moving. This highlights the importance of these factors for more accurate assessments of proprioception.

Project objective
Development of a protocol to assess the ability of healthy subjects to perceive limb position in a dynamic context. 

• Motor control (study of the basic mechanisms of proprioception)
• Neurology (evaluation of proprioceptive abilities in pathological subjects) 

Settori Scientifico Disciplinari

BIO/09  PHYSIOLOGY

Spoke 4 : Perception and Brain-Body Interaction

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