Functional control of the hand in tetraplegics based on residual synergistic EMG activity.
A microprocessor controlled device (MeCFES) was used for the investigation of the possibility of restoring hand function in C5 tetraplegics with paralysis of the hand. To date, 3 tetraplegics have been testing the system. The myoelectric signals from wrist extension were recorded and used as control signals for functional electrical stimulation (FES) of thumb adduction/flexion. The results have shown that the device can improve the hand function of tetraplegics. In this part of the work, a hand function test was designed and used to assess the results.
Thorsen
R
R
Centro di Bioingegneria, Fondazione Don Gnocchi, IRCCS, Politecnico di Milano, Italy. R.A.Thorsen@el.utwente.nl
Ferrarin
M
M
Spadone
R
R
Frigo
C
C
D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004576:Electromyography / Q000295:instrumentation; D005385:Fingers / Q000502:physiology; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008838:Microcomputers; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D010243:Paralysis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013933:Thumb / Q000502:physiology; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000502:physiology