PURPOSE Development of objective criteria and optimum training protocols are priorities for robotic laparoscopy. However, studies that have attempted to objectify learning have been limited due to lack of task complexity and absence of comparisons between experts and novices. Our aim was to address these limitations and assess proficiency in robotic laparoscopy using bimanual inanimate tasks. ...

When manipulating objects with both hands, the corpus callosum (CC) is of paramount importance for interhemispheric information exchange. Hence, CC damage results in impaired bimanual performance. Here, healthy young adults performed a complex bimanual dial rotation task with or without augmented visual feedback and according to five interhand frequency ratios (1:1, 1:3, 2:3, 3:1, 3:2). The rel...

As bimanual robots become increasingly popular, learning and control algorithms must take into account new constraints and challenges imposed by this morphology. Most research on learning bimanual skills has focused on learning coordination between end-effectors, exploiting operational space formulations. However, motion patterns in bimanual scenarios are not exclusive to operational space, als...

When both hands are employed to tap in alternation, is their timing governed by a single timekeeper or oscillator, or by two slower oscillators (one for each hand) that are coupled in anti-phase? This question was addressed in two experiments by comparing unimanual and alternating bimanual synchronization with isochronous auditory sequences containing local phase perturbations. The single-oscil...

OBJECTIVES Left ventricular septal myectomy is the therapeutic 'gold standard' for patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy whose symptoms are refractory to medical therapy. We describe our initial clinical experience with a new surgical technique for septal myectomy utilizing the 'bimanual examination' in order to more reliably complete extended septal myectomy during cardioplegic...

Citation: Pixa NH and Pollok B (2018) Effects of tDCS on Bimanual Motor Skills: A Brief Review. Front. Behav. Neurosci. 12:63. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00063 Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that allows the modulation of cortical excitability as well as neuroplastic reorganization using a weak constant current applied through the skull ...

We investigate whether aging leads to global declines in discrete and continuous bimanual coordination tasks thought to rely on different control mechanisms for temporal coupling of the limbs. All conditions of continuous bimanual circle drawing were associated with age-equivalent temporal control. This was also true for discrete simultaneous tapping. Older adults' between-hand coordination def...

The control of unimanual and bimanual aiming movements by Parkinson's disease and control subjects was examined. Despite greater bimanual movement initiation asynchrony and overall bradykinesia, the Parkinson's disease subjects were affected by the experimental manipulations in the same way as controls. Symmetrical and, more especially, asymmetrical bimanual movements required more preparation ...

Coupled bimanual rehabilitation allows an individual with hemiparesis to use their sound arm to assist their impaired arm during rehabilitation. This method of self-rehabilitation could be used as a low-cost alternative for home rehabilitation, however, few studies have looked at the effects of coupling stiffness and symmetry mode on bimanual task performance. We have developed a compliant bima...

STUDY OBJECTIVE External cricoid and thyroid cartilage manipulations are commonly taught to facilitate laryngeal view during intubation. We compare the laryngeal views during laryngoscopy with 4 manipulations (no manipulation, cricoid pressure, backward-upward-rightward pressure [BURP], and bimanual laryngoscopy) to determine the method that optimizes laryngeal view. METHODS This was a random...