Electromyography biofeedback system with visual and vibratory feedbacks designed for lower limb rehabilitation

Purpose One of the main causes long-term prosthetic abandonment is lack ownership over prosthesis, which was caused mainly by absence sensory information regarding lost limb. The period where patient learns how to interact with a device critical in rehabilitation. This ideally happens within first months after amputation, also associated consolidation brain changes. Different studies have shown that introduction feedback mechanisms can be crucial bypass sensorial information. To develop biofeedback system for rehabilitation transfemoral amputees – controlled via electromyographic (EMG) activity from leg muscles provide real-time visual and/or vibratory user. Design/methodology/approach uses surface EMG control two mechanisms, are knee joint humanoid avatar virtual reality (VR) environment (visual feedback) and matrix 16 vibrotactile actuators placed back user (vibratory feedback). Data acquisition inside Faraday Cage using an OpenEphys® board recordings. tasks were performed on able-bodied participants, no this, dominant immobilized orthopedic boot fixed chair, allowing only isometric contractions target muscles, according Surface Non-Invasive Assessment Muscles (SENIAM) standard. authors test effectiveness combining task difficulty affects overall performance. Findings authors' results show negative interference both modalities performance peaked at intermediate difficulty. These powerful insights what accomplished population amputee people. By this system, expect engage another modality process spatial representation leg, bypassing disruption afferent pathways following amputation. Research limitations/implications developed showcase new protocol showing protocol's safety, efficiency reliability. However, since designed patients full extent effects training assessed evaluation amputees, obtained so far establish safe operational accomplish this. Practical implications In study, proposed intended used preprosthetic phase people With propose mechanism prosthesis help assimilate stimuli as cue movement representation. Social Originality/value all users capable recognizing modalities, separate combined, being able respond accordingly throughout tasks. one-session protocol, last level imposed greater challenge most users, explained significant drop disregarding modality. Lastly, believe paradigm better embodiment devices, fulfilling users.