Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus and method for insuring that the evaluation of forces generated from an injured human limb or hand are accurately determined without malingering factors. The apparatus includes a sensor for determining forces generated by a hand which provides an output signal for input into a scaling circuit of a computer. The scaling circuit has a random scale factor randomly selected by a computer's microprocessor. The random scale factor alters presentation of the sensor output signals on a visual display. The visual display provides an indication to the patient of the amount of force that has been generated, but the scale factor modifies the output signals in a manner and amount that is unknown to the patient. The scale factor for example can be such that at a start of a test sequence a standard force can be displayed in approximately the middle of a scale shown on the visual display. In the next test of the sequence, the scale factor modifies a second set of test results so that the patient believes performance has increased. In a third test, the scale factor again modifies a third set of test results so that the patient believes performance has decreased. In this manner the test results can be analyzed and averaged with certainty as to whether or not the test results are valid, or if they are invalid by analyzing the test scores obtained at different scaling factors.

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First Claim