Wrist Rehabilitation Support System to Promote Generation of Voluntary Surface Myoelectric Signals

-Consideration for possibility of clinic trial-

Abstract

Various control systems for robot arms using surface myoelectric signals have been developed. Abundant pattern-recognition techniques have been proposed to predict human motion intent based on these signals. However, it is laborious for users to train the voluntary control of myoelectric signals. In this study, we aim to develop a rehabilitation support system for hemiplegic upper limb. We develop training system to promote generation of voluntary surface myoelectric signals by manipulating virtual arm controlled via surface myoelectric signals. We propose a training scheme with gradually increasing difficulty level for virtual arm manipulation to evoke surface myoelectric signals. We make several training experiments on healthy subjects, and consider for possibility of clinic trial.