Measuring fluency: comparison of impaired and unimpaired groups

Fluent movement (smooth, co-ordinated, unhesitating) is the visible output of a mature intact neuromusculoskeletal system and consequently a key part of the assessment and treatment of neurological conditions[1]. Despite its value, movement fluency has only been measured subjectively by therapists. The field of therapy robots has led to objective definitions of variables such as co-ordination and smoothness which can be more widely applied. Our primary aim was to develop clinically meaningful objective definitions of movement fluency and bench test them across impaired and unimpaired populations.