Finger technique is a crucial aspect of piano learning, and hand exoskeleton mechanisms effectively assist novice piano players in maintaining correct finger technique consistently. Addressing current issues with exoskeleton robots, such as the inability to provide continuous correction of finger technique and their considerable weight, a novel hand exoskeleton robot has been developed to enhance finger technique through continuous correction and reduced weight. Initial data are gathered using finger joint angle sensors to analyze movements during piano playing, focusing on the trajectory and angular velocity of key strikes. This analysis informs the design of a 6-bar double-closed-loop mechanism with an end equivalent sliding pair, using analytical methods to establish the relationship between motor extension and input rod rotation. Simulation studies assess the exoskeleton’s motion space and dynamics, confirming its capability to meet structural and functional demands for accurate key striking. Prototype testing validates the exoskeleton’s ability to maintain correct finger positioning and mimic natural strike speeds, thus improving playing technique while ensuring comfort and safety.

This study designs and develops a wearable exoskeleton piano assistance system for individuals recovering from neurological injuries, aiming to help users regain the ability to perform complex tasks such as playing the piano. While soft robotic exoskeletons have proven effective in rehabilitation therapy and daily activity assistance, challenges remain in performing highly dexterous tasks due to structural complexity and insufficient motion accuracy. To address these issues, we developed a modular division method based on multi-domain mapping and a top-down process model. This method integrates the functional domain, structural domain, and user needs domain, and explores the principles and methods for creating functional construction modules, overcoming the limitations of traditional top-down approaches in design flexibility. By closely combining layout constraints with the design model, this method significantly improves the accuracy and efficiency of module configuration, offering a new path for the development of piano practice assistance devices. The results demonstrate that this device innovatively combines piano practice with rehabilitation training and through the introduction of ontological modeling methods, resolves the challenges of multidimensional needs mapping. Based on five user requirements (P), we calculated the corresponding demand weight (K), making the design more aligned with user needs. The device excels in enhancing motion accuracy, interactivity, and comfort, filling the gap in traditional piano assistance devices in terms of multi-functionality and high adaptability, and offering new ideas for the design and promotion of intelligent assistive devices. Simulation analysis, combined with the motion trajectory of the finger’s proximal joint, calculates that 60° is the maximum bending angle for the aforementioned joint. Physical validation confirms the device’s superior performance in terms of reliability and high-precision motion reproduction, meeting the requirements for piano-assisted training. Through multi-domain mapping, the top-down process model, and modular design, this research effectively breaks through the design flexibility and functional adaptability bottleneck of traditional piano assistance devices while integrating neurological rehabilitation with music education, opening up a new application path for intelligent assistive devices in the fields of rehabilitation medicine and arts education, and providing a solution for cross-disciplinary technology fusion and innovative development.

The gait rehabilitation knee exoskeleton is an advanced rehabilitative assistive device designed to help patients with knee joint dysfunction regain normal gait through training and activity support. This paper introduces a design framework based on the process knowledge representation method to optimize the design and control efficiency of the knee exoskeleton. This framework integrates knowledge of design objects and processes, specifically including requirements, functions, principle work areas, and the representation and multi-dimensional dynamic mapping of the Behavior–Structure (RFPBS) matrix, achieving multi-dimensional dynamic mapping of the knee exoskeleton. This method incorporates biomechanical and physiological knowledge from the rehabilitation process to more effectively simulate and support gait movements during rehabilitation. Research results indicate that the knee rehabilitation exoskeleton design, based on the RFPBS process knowledge representation model, accomplishes multi-dimensional dynamic mapping, providing a scientific basis and effective support for the rehabilitation of patients with knee joint dysfunction.

Background: Music with prosocial lyrics is a significant area of study in music psychology. Based on the General Learning Model, such music can effectively enhance prosocial behaviors. However, little is known about the neural correlates of the impact on prosocial behavior of short-term exposure to music with prosocial lyrics. Previous research has primarily used self-report measures to explore the relationship between music and prosocial cognition and behavior. However, these measures can be influenced by social desirability biases when dealing with sensitive issues such as moral behavior. The study of implicit cognition can effectively avoid these biases and has thus attracted widespread attention.Objective: This study is the first to investigate the electrophysiological characteristics of the relationship between exposure to music with prosocial lyrics and enhanced altruistic behavior and to elucidate the effects of such music on implicit prosocial cognition.Methods: This laboratory study will recruit 45 college students, who will be tasked with listening to either music with prosocial lyrics or neutral music. We will then use the Single Category Implicit Association Test (SC-IAT) paradigm combined with event-related potentials (ERP) to investigate the impact of music with prosocial lyrics on participants' implicit prosocial cognition and further reveal the predictive power of implicit cognition on prosocial behavior (measured by assessing the level of voluntary unpaid participation in subsequent experiments).Results: The findings of this study will provide neuroscientific evidence on how music with prosocial lyrics influences prosocial behavior through cognitive processes and clarify the effectiveness of music with prosocial lyrics in enhancing implicit prosocial cognition and behavior. In addition, these findings will not only deepen the understanding of the relationship between music and social behavior but also provide theoretical foundations and practical guidance for education, psychological interventions, and strategies to improve social behavior, thereby promoting the application of music in fostering social harmony.

According to the General Learning Model (GLM), music with prosocial lyrics is assumed to promote prosocial behavior by eliciting empathy. However, existing research has primarily relied on self-report questionnaires to assess empathy. Such measures are susceptible to social desirability bias and individual differences, making it difficult to objectively capture empathic responses. Although some studies have attempted to employ psychophysiological indicators (e.g., heart rate variability, HRV) as indirect measures of empathy and have identified significant associations, there remains a lack of systematic research integrating prosocial lyrical music, psychophysiological responses, and actual prosocial behavior within a unified framework. The present study innovatively combines psychophysiological indices (e.g., HRV) with self-report measures to examine whether music with prosocial lyrics can elicit empathy at both the objective physiological and subjective self-evaluative levels. Furthermore, by incorporating a novel online donation task, this study aims to directly test the effect of prosocial lyrical music on prosocial behavior. A randomized crossover design will be employed. Sixty participants will be recruited, and their heart rate variability (HRV) will be recorded while they listen to two types of music: music with prosocial lyrics and neutral music. HRV will serve as an index of empathic response. Following the listening session, participants will complete an online charitable donation task. The findings of this study are expected to provide psychophysiological evidence regarding whether music with prosocial lyrics increases donation behavior and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The results will also offer theoretical support for the effectiveness of prosocial lyrical music in enhancing empathy and promoting charitable giving.