Design, Fabrication, and Administration of the Hand Active Sensation Test (HASTe)

Summary

The Hand Active Sensation Test (HASTe) is a valid and reliable measure of haptic performance, which has been used successfully to identify impaired haptic touch in individuals with stroke. The purpose of this paper is to describe the design, fabrication and administration of the HASTe.

Abstract

The concept of personalizing neurologic rehabilitation, based on individual impairments, has experienced a recent surge. In parallel, the number of outcome measures of upper extremity motor performance has grown. However, clinicians and researchers lack practical, quantitative measures of the hand’s natural role as a receptor of the environment. The Hand Active Sensation Test (HASTe), developed by Williams and colleagues in 2006, is a valid and reliable measure of haptic performance. Though not available commercially, the HASTe can be fabricated from inexpensive materials, and it has been used successfully to identify impairments in haptic touch in individuals with stroke. (Williams, 2006). This paper presents the methods of design and fabrication of the HASTe testing kit, as well as a visual screen to be used during administration, and instructions for the tests administration and scoring.

Introduction

Imagine the feel of a loved one’s hand. It is calloused or smooth? Strong or delicate? Warm or cool? Do you hold it in a handshake or with fingers intertwined? If you have evoked a memory, it is likely grounded in your ability to use movement of your hands to solicit somatosensory information, which is called haptic touch, or active sensation. Characteristics that can be determined with haptic touch include size, shape, weight, texture, surface compliance, and temperature.  Haptic receptors include proprioceptors, which are found in the skin, muscles, tendons, and joints, as well as cutaneous receptors, both of which are activated during manual exploration of objects.....

Protocol

1. Design and Fabrication of Visual Screen and HASTe (See "Table of Materials" for All Required Equipment and Materials):

1. Assemble Visual Screen (Figure 1):
   1. Cut four pieces of 0.5-inch PVC pipe (material a) to 10 inches (these form the base of the screen). Cut three pieces of 0.5-inch PVC pipe to 20 inches (these form the upright portion of the screen).
   2. Insert two pieces of 10-inch pipe into both PVC Tee’s (parallel openings) (material b). Insert two pieces of 20-inch pipe into each of the remaining holes of the PVC Tee’s (perpendicular to the 10-inch pieces). Insert PVC elbows (material c) on each of the open ends o....

Results

Williams and colleagues published the original study, which established the reliability and validity of the HASTe, in 2006. Based on that study, individuals scoring fewer than 13 correct matches on the HASTe are considered to have impaired haptic performance, while those scoring between 13 and 18 are considered to have unimpaired haptic performance. ¹⁶ When an individual scores 6 or fewer correct matches, it is considered a chance score, based on the odds in an 18 trial/3 item match to sample design.

Discussion

Evidence suggests that similar to motor recovery following stroke, somatosensory recovery requires task specific training. ^18,19,20 Therefore, if we aim to improve the hands performance as a haptic receptor, haptic impairments must be identified. ¹⁵ The opportunity to quantify haptic ability in the clinic and laboratory has been limited, to some extent, based on the availability of valid and reliable outcome measures.  The large number of stroke survivors with somatosensory impairmen.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Equipment Needed for Assembly
Tape measure			To measure lengths of materials
PVC saw			To cut PVC pieces to appropriate lengths given below
Scissors			To cut paper, cork and laminating material
Scale accurate to 0.1 ounce			To determine exact weight of test objects
Sharpie Permanent Marker			To label test item number and weight
Visual Screen Materials	Company	Catalog Number
0.5-inch PVC Pipe (Sch. 40 Plain-End Pipe)	Home Depot	530048	104 inches total, will be cut into four 10-inch and three 20-inch pieces
0.5-inch PVC Tee (Sch. 40 SxSxS Tee)	Home Depot	406005RMC	Two pieces
PVC Elbow (Lasco 0.5-inch Dia 90 degree PVC Sch 40 Side Outlet Elbow)	Home Depot	413005RMC	Two pieces
Pillowcase			One to be hung from the PVC frame as a visual shield
ACCO Binder Clips, Medium	amazon.com	72050	Two to hold the pillowcase to the PVC frame
Testing Kit Materials
1.5-inch PVC Sch. 40 DWV Plain End Pipe	Home Depot	531111	85 inches total, will be cut into 21 4-inch pieces
Quartet Cork Roll, 1/16-inch thick	amazon.com	NA	1 roll, 24x48 inches, will be cut into 42 4x7-inch pieces to cover all test and example items
Oatey all purpose cement for CPVC and PVC	Home Depot	308213	8 ounce can, to use to adhere cork, paper and end caps to PVC test items
Avery Self-Adhesive Laminating Roll	amazon.com	73610	One 24x600-inch roll, will be cut into six 4x7-inches pieces to cover cork on six test objects
Brown Builder's Paper	Home Depot	35140	One roll, will be cut into six 4x7-inch pieces to cover cork on six test objects
3M Pro Grade 9 Sandpaper	Home Depot	25060P-G	One piece 4x7 inches, to use to cover one example item
Ranger Glossy Cardstock	amazon.com	NA	One 8.5x11-inch, 10-Pack, white, will be cut into two 4x7-inch pieces to cover example items
Marblex-durable self modeling clay in moist form	amaco.com/shop/	X-242	One 5-pound package, used to achieve correct weights of test objects
Medium density polyethylene packing foam	amazon.com	NA	One foam sheet, 220 poly, charcoal, 2x24x18 inches, to fill the remaining space in test objects after clay has been inserted
Knock Out Plug for 1.5-inch PVC	Home Depot	85000	42 caps to seal the ends of the 21 test items
Sterilite 6-quart plastic storage box	Home Depot	16428960	One to store/transport test objects