Skin Sensitivity Assessment Using Smartphone Haptic Feedback

Wilson O Torres; Michael E Abbott; Yuqing Wang; Hannah S Stuart

doi:10.1109/OJEMB.2023.3328502

Skin Sensitivity Assessment Using Smartphone Haptic Feedback

IEEE Open J Eng Med Biol. 2023 Oct 30:4:216-221. doi: 10.1109/OJEMB.2023.3328502. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Wilson O Torres¹, Michael E Abbott¹, Yuqing Wang¹, Hannah S Stuart¹

Affiliation

¹ Embodied Dexterity Group, Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of California Berkeley Berkeley CA 94720 USA.

Abstract

Goal: This work presents a smartphone application to assess cutaneous sensory perception by establishing Vibrational Perception Thresholds (VPTs). Cutaneous sensory perception diagnostics allow for the early detection and symptom tracking of tactile dysfunction. However, lack of access to healthcare and the limited frequency of current screening tools can leave skin sensation impairments undiscovered or unmonitored. Methods: A 23-participant cross-sectional study in subjects with a range of finger sensation tests Smartphone Established VPTs (SE-VPTs) by varying device vibrational intensity. These are compared against monofilament test scores, a clinical measure of skin sensitivity. Results: We find a strong positive correlation between SE-VPTs and monofilament scores ([Formula: see text] = 0.86, p = 1.65e-07). Conclusions: These results demonstrate the feasibility of using a smartphone as a skin sensation screening tool.

Keywords: Cutaneous sensation; Haptics; Smartphone.

Grants and funding

The work of W.O. Torres was supported by Hearts to Humanity Eternal (H2H8) Association Graduate Research Gift. This work was supported by the Johnson & Johnson Women in STEM²D under Award #051062.