EMG feedback improves grasping of compliant objects using a myoelectric prosthesis

Abstract Background Closing the control loop in myoelectric prostheses by providing artificial somatosensory feedback is recognized as an important goal. However, designing a feedback interface that is effective in realistic conditions is still a challenge. Namely, in some situations, feedback can b...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jack Tchimino, Jakob Lund Dideriksen, Strahinja Dosen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-09-01
Series:Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-023-01237-1
_version_ 1797577704830140416
author Jack Tchimino
Jakob Lund Dideriksen
Strahinja Dosen
author_facet Jack Tchimino
Jakob Lund Dideriksen
Strahinja Dosen
author_sort Jack Tchimino
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Closing the control loop in myoelectric prostheses by providing artificial somatosensory feedback is recognized as an important goal. However, designing a feedback interface that is effective in realistic conditions is still a challenge. Namely, in some situations, feedback can be redundant, as the information it provides can be readily obtained through hearing or vision (e.g., grasping force estimated from the deformation of a compliant object). EMG feedback is a non-invasive method wherein the tactile stimulation conveys to the user the level of their own myoelectric signal, hence a measurement intrinsic to the interface, which cannot be accessed incidentally. Methods The present study investigated the efficacy of EMG feedback in prosthesis force control when 10 able-bodied participants and a person with transradial amputation used a myoelectric prosthesis to grasp compliant objects of different stiffness values. The performance with feedback was compared to that achieved when the participants relied solely on incidental cues. Results The main outcome measures were the task success rate and completion time. EMG feedback resulted in significantly higher success rates regardless of pin stiffness, indicating that the feedback enhanced the accuracy of force application despite the abundance of incidental cues. Contrary to expectations, there was no difference in the completion time between the two feedback conditions. Additionally, the data revealed that the participants could produce smoother control signals when they received EMG feedback as well as more consistent commands across trials, signifying better control of the system by the participants. Conclusions The results presented in this study further support the efficacy of EMG feedback when closing the prosthesis control loop by demonstrating its benefits in particularly challenging conditions which maximized the utility of intrinsic feedback sources.
first_indexed 2024-03-10T22:11:46Z
format Article
id doaj.art-d4ee4290afe940439941c159075460ae
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1743-0003
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-10T22:11:46Z
publishDate 2023-09-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
spelling doaj.art-d4ee4290afe940439941c159075460ae2023-11-19T12:35:06ZengBMCJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation1743-00032023-09-0120111410.1186/s12984-023-01237-1EMG feedback improves grasping of compliant objects using a myoelectric prosthesisJack Tchimino0Jakob Lund Dideriksen1Strahinja Dosen2Neurorehabilitation Systems, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg UniversityNeurorehabilitation Systems, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg UniversityNeurorehabilitation Systems, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg UniversityAbstract Background Closing the control loop in myoelectric prostheses by providing artificial somatosensory feedback is recognized as an important goal. However, designing a feedback interface that is effective in realistic conditions is still a challenge. Namely, in some situations, feedback can be redundant, as the information it provides can be readily obtained through hearing or vision (e.g., grasping force estimated from the deformation of a compliant object). EMG feedback is a non-invasive method wherein the tactile stimulation conveys to the user the level of their own myoelectric signal, hence a measurement intrinsic to the interface, which cannot be accessed incidentally. Methods The present study investigated the efficacy of EMG feedback in prosthesis force control when 10 able-bodied participants and a person with transradial amputation used a myoelectric prosthesis to grasp compliant objects of different stiffness values. The performance with feedback was compared to that achieved when the participants relied solely on incidental cues. Results The main outcome measures were the task success rate and completion time. EMG feedback resulted in significantly higher success rates regardless of pin stiffness, indicating that the feedback enhanced the accuracy of force application despite the abundance of incidental cues. Contrary to expectations, there was no difference in the completion time between the two feedback conditions. Additionally, the data revealed that the participants could produce smoother control signals when they received EMG feedback as well as more consistent commands across trials, signifying better control of the system by the participants. Conclusions The results presented in this study further support the efficacy of EMG feedback when closing the prosthesis control loop by demonstrating its benefits in particularly challenging conditions which maximized the utility of intrinsic feedback sources.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-023-01237-1Closed-loop controlProsthesisEMG feedbackForce feedbackCompliant objects
spellingShingle Jack Tchimino
Jakob Lund Dideriksen
Strahinja Dosen
EMG feedback improves grasping of compliant objects using a myoelectric prosthesis
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
Closed-loop control
Prosthesis
EMG feedback
Force feedback
Compliant objects
title EMG feedback improves grasping of compliant objects using a myoelectric prosthesis
title_full EMG feedback improves grasping of compliant objects using a myoelectric prosthesis
title_fullStr EMG feedback improves grasping of compliant objects using a myoelectric prosthesis
title_full_unstemmed EMG feedback improves grasping of compliant objects using a myoelectric prosthesis
title_short EMG feedback improves grasping of compliant objects using a myoelectric prosthesis
title_sort emg feedback improves grasping of compliant objects using a myoelectric prosthesis
topic Closed-loop control
Prosthesis
EMG feedback
Force feedback
Compliant objects
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-023-01237-1
work_keys_str_mv AT jacktchimino emgfeedbackimprovesgraspingofcompliantobjectsusingamyoelectricprosthesis
AT jakoblunddideriksen emgfeedbackimprovesgraspingofcompliantobjectsusingamyoelectricprosthesis
AT strahinjadosen emgfeedbackimprovesgraspingofcompliantobjectsusingamyoelectricprosthesis