Simultaneous and proportional estimation of hand kinematics from EMG during mirrored movements at multiple degrees-of-freedom

IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2012 May;20(3):371-8. doi: 10.1109/TNSRE.2011.2178039. Epub 2011 Dec 13.

Abstract

This paper proposes and tests on able-bodied subjects a control strategy that can be practically applied in unilateral transradial amputees for simultaneous and proportional control of multiple degrees-of-freedom (DOFs). We used artificial neural networks to estimate kinematics of the complex wrist/hand from high-density surface electromyography (EMG) signals of the contralateral limb during mirrored bilateral movements in free space. The movements tested involved the concurrent activation of wrist flexion/extension, radial/ulnar deviation, forearm pronation/supination, and hand closing. The accuracy in estimation was in the range 79%-88% (r(2) index) for the four DOFs in six able-bodied subjects. Moreover, the estimation of the pronation/supination angle (wrist rotation) was influenced by the reduction in the number of EMG channels used for the estimation to a greater extent than the other DOFs. In conclusion, the proposed method and set-up provide a viable means for proportional and simultaneous control of multiple DOFs for hand prostheses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Biomechanical Phenomena*
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Electrodes
  • Electromyography / methods*
  • Female
  • Forearm / physiology
  • Functional Laterality / physiology
  • Hand / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Movement / physiology*
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / physiology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
  • Neural Networks, Computer
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Wrist / physiology
  • Young Adult