Study of enhanced upper extremity rehabilitation with active feedback using SEMG

Abstract

Most stroke patients are discharged from care in hospitals once they learn to walk. This usually leaves a large gap in upper extremity rehabilitation, and more so in recovery of fine motor skills. On the other hand, several interviews with stroke patients have revealed that they desire recovery of hand functions first, so that they can perform the activities of daily living, such as feeding, bathing and clothing themselves, as well as going to the toilet on their own. They consider these important for living a life of independence and dignity. pioneers of brain plasticity have pointed out that the patient must be engaged completely and intensely in the activity for such plasticity to occur. This study attempts to develop a wearable robotic brace which can assist patients with minimal functions in upper extremities, translating non-functional movements to functional use. The device will engage the patients through surface electromyographic signals (SEMG) and visual feedback of muscle contraction and movement, using the bodies existing neural pathways. A hand and wrist orthosis was designed to suit the simulation of pinch, cylindrical grasp and wrist movement of a hemiplaegic right hand, using the above SEMG triggers. In order to engage the patient early enough and intensely enough to bring about rapid brain plasticity, several new directions in the future design of such orthosis was proposed such as Human-Machine-Human Interface Alternative Natural Positions for Rehabilitation Devices Multiple Trigger Selection using electromyographic and electroencephalographic signals Some preliminary studies were done on such new directions on healthy subjects.Master of Science (Biomedical Engineering