Article

An electromyography (EMG)-driven electromechanical robot system integrated with
neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) was developed for wrist training
after stroke. The performance of the system in assisting wrist flexion/extension
tracking was evaluated on five chronic stroke subjects, when the system provided
five different schemes with or without NMES and robot assistance. The tracking
performances were measured by range of motion (ROM) of the wrist and root mean
squared error (RMSE). The performance is better when both NMES and robot assisted
in the tracking than those with either NMES or robot only (P<0.05). The muscle
co-contractions in the upper limb measured by EMG were reduced when NMES provided
assistance (P<0.05). All subjects also attended a 20-session wrist training for
evaluating the training effects (3-5 times/week). The results showed improvements
on the voluntary motor functions in the hand, wrist and elbow functions after the
training, as indicated by the clinical scores of Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Action
Research Arm Test, Wolf Motor Function Test; and also showed reduced spasticity
in the wrist and the elbow as measured by the Modified Ashworth Score of each
subject. After the training, the co-contractions were reduced between the flexor
carpi radialis and extensor carpi radialis, and between the biceps brachii and
triceps brachii. Assistance from the robot helped improve the movement accuracy;
and the NMES helped increase the muscle activation for the wrist joint and
suppress the excessive muscular activities from the elbow joint. The NMES-robot
assisted wrist training could improve the hand, wrist, and elbow functions.
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Langue : ANGLAIS