title: Toward improved sensorimotor integration and learning using upper-limb prosthetic devices.
abstract: To harness the increased dexterity and sensing capabilities in advanced prosthetic device designs, amputees will require interfaces supported by novel forms of sensory feedback and novel control paradigms. We are using a motorized elbow brace to feed back grasp forces to the user in the form of extension torques about the elbow. This force display complements myoelectric control of grip closure in which EMG signals are drawn from the biceps muscle. We expect that the action/reaction coupling experienced by the biceps muscle will produce an intuitive paradigm for object manipulation, and we hope to uncover neural correlates to support this hypothesis. In this paper we present results from an experiment in which 7 able-bodied persons attempted to distinguish three objects by stiffness while grasping them under myoelectric control and feeling reaction forces displayed to their elbow. In four conditions (with and without force display, and using biceps myoelectric signals ipsilateral and contralateral to the force display,) ability to correctly identify objects was significantly increased with sensory feedback.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. brentg@umich.edu
authors.forename: R Brent
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Gillespie
authors.forename: Jose Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Contreras-Vidal
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Shewokis
authors.forename: Marcia K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: O'Malley
authors.forename: Jeremy D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Harshavardhan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Agashe
authors.forename: Rodolphe
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gentili
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D001186:Artificial Limbs; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000502:physiology; D004576:Electromyography; D056228:Feedback, Sensory / Q000502:physiology*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D011474:Prosthesis Design / Q000295:instrumentation*; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology*