The sensory and motor consequences of using an injured hand

This project will address how peripheral musculoskeletal conditions affect sensation and motor control of the hand. Questions include, what are the functional implications of specific sensory and motor impairments, and how does the use of different sources of sensory and motor information for hand movements change in such conditions?
The project is a collaboration between academic researchers in sensory-motor control and perception (Watt, Valyear), a consultant orthopaedic hand surgeon at the local NHS health trust (Jesudason), and a small private-practice company. In keeping with the aims of the funder (KESS), the project is focused on fundamental science, yet also investigates new applications to clinical conditions. Our overall aim is to harness the knowledge we gain from this research to improve the assessment and treatment of individuals with hand-movement disorders.
The project involves a range of scientific methods, likely to include motion capture, psychophysical measurement, and clinical assessment, both in normal participants and patients.
Facilities: The project will be part of ongoing research in Watt and Valyear’s labs in the School of Psychology at Bangor University. The labs offer access to outstanding facilities for Cognitive Neuroscience, including motion capture, novel display technologies, eye-tracking, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and functional MRI. Furthermore, Bangor is situated in a beautiful region of North Wales close to Snowdonia National Park, which provides a wonderful natural backdrop to professional life.