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. 2011 Dec;35(4):395-401.
doi: 10.1177/0309364611420905. Epub 2011 Sep 29.

Pattern recognition control of multifunction myoelectric prostheses by patients with congenital transradial limb defects: a preliminary study

Michael Kryger  1 , Aimee E Schultz, Todd Kuiken
Affiliations

Pattern recognition control of multifunction myoelectric prostheses by patients with congenital transradial limb defects: a preliminary study

Michael Kryger et al. Prosthet Orthot Int. 2011 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Electromyography (EMG) pattern recognition offers the potential for improved control of multifunction myoelectric prostheses. However, it is unclear whether this technology can be successfully used by congenital amputees.

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to assess the ability of congenital transradial amputees to control a virtual multifunction prosthesis using EMG pattern recognition and compare their performance to that of acquired amputees from a previous study.

Study design: Preliminary cross-sectional study.

Methods: Four congenital transradial amputees trained and tested a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) classifier with four wrist movements, five hand movements, and a no-movement class. Subjects then tested the classifier in real time using a virtual arm.

Results: Performance metrics for the residual limb were poorer than those with the intact limb (classification accuracy: 52.1% ± 15.0% vs. 93.2% ± 15.8%; motion-completion rate: 49.0%± 23.0% vs. 84.0% ± 9.4%; motion-completion time: 2.05 ± 0.75 s vs. 1.13 ± 0.05 s, respectively). On average, performance with the residual limb by congenital amputees was reduced compared to that reported for acquired transradial amputees. However, one subject performed similarly to acquired amputees.

Conclusions: Pattern recognition control may be a viable option for some congenital amputees. Further study is warranted to determine success factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Electrode placement on one congenital amputee subject’s residual limb.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The ability of four congenital transradial amputees (TR1–4) to perform pattern recognition control of a virtual prosthetic arm with ten motions and one rest class was measured using (a) overall offline pattern classification accuracies, (b) real-time motion-completion rates and (c) real-time motion-completion times. The average values from five acquired transradial amputees reported in a prior study are presented for comparison [10].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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