EEG controlled neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the upper limb for stroke patients

doi:10.1007/s11465-011-0207-1

Front Mech Eng

2011, Vol. 6

Issue (1) : 71-81 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11465-011-0207-1

RESEARCH ARTICLE

EEG controlled neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the upper limb for stroke patients

Hock Guan TAN^1,3, Cheng Yap SHEE¹, Keng He KONG², Cuntai GUAN³, Wei Tech ANG¹(

)

1. School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; 2. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 17 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 9, Singapore, Singapore; 3. Institute for Infocomm Research, 1 Fusionopolis Way, #21-01 Connexis (South Tower), Singapore, Singapore

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Abstract

This paper describes the Brain Computer Interface (BCI) system and the experiments to allow post-acute (<3 months) stroke patients to use electroencephalogram (EEG) to trigger neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)-assisted extension of the wrist/fingers, which are essential pre-requisites for useful hand function. EEG was recorded while subjects performed motor imagery of their paretic limb, and then analyzed to determine the optimal frequency range within the mu-rhythm, with the greatest attenuation. Aided by visual feedback, subjects then trained to regulate their mu-rhythm EEG to operate the BCI to trigger NMES of the wrist/finger. 6 post-acute stroke patients successfully completed the training, with 4 able to learn to control and use the BCI to initiate NMES. This result is consistent with the reported BCI literacy rate of healthy subjects. Thereafter, without the loss of generality, the controller of the NMES is developed and is based on a model of the upper limb muscle (biceps/triceps) groups to determine the intensity of NMES required to flex or extend the forearm by a specific angle. The muscle model is based on a phenomenological approach, with parameters that are easily measured and conveniently implemented.

Keywords brain computer interface neuromuscular electrical stimulation stroke musculoskeletal modeling

Corresponding Author(s): ANG Wei Tech,Email:cyshee@ntu.edu.sg

Issue Date: 05 March 2011

Cite this article:

Hock Guan TAN,Cheng Yap SHEE,Keng He KONG, et al. EEG controlled neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the upper limb for stroke patients[J]. Front Mech Eng, 2011, 6(1): 71-81.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fme/EN/10.1007/s11465-011-0207-1
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fme/EN/Y2011/V6/I1/71

Fig.1 Components of the BCI-NMES neuroprosthesis and interactions with the user

Fig.2 A post-acute stroke patient with a paretic right wrist using the BCI to trigger NMES on the wrist extensor muscles

Fig.3 EEG electrodes over the motor cortex

Fig.4 Average amplitude of each frequency of the -rhythm over a 5-s interval, while the subject rested or performed hand movement. The 8–12 Hz band displayed a noticeable attenuation of the signal during hand movement

Tab.1 Demographic and clinical characteristics of subjects ( = 9)

Tab.2 Summary of the muscle model properties to be determined for use in controlling NMES

Fig.5 Centres of mass and radii of gyration of each segment of the forearm

Fig.6 Passive elastic moment vs elbow angle (passive elastic moment is negligible from 20° to 100°)

Fig.7 Setup to measure muscle activation level, force produced at the wrist is measured as stimulation pulse width is increases

Tab.3 Parameters for both subjects

Tab.4 Average angular deviation from target angle over 5 consecutive repetitions

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