Advances in motion and electromyography based wearable technology for upper extremity function rehabilitation: A review

Abstract

Study design: Scoping review.

Introduction: With the recent advances in technologies, interactive wearable technologies including inertial motion sensors and e-textiles are emerging in the field of rehabilitation to monitor and provide feedback and therapy remotely.

Purpose of the study: This review article focuses on inertial measurement unit motion sensor and e-textiles-based technologies and proposes approaches to augment these interactive wearable technologies.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of relevant electronic databases (eg, PubMed, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, PsycINFO, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial, and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database). The scoping review included all study designs.

Results: Currently, there are a numerous research groups and companies investigating inertial motion sensors and e-textiles-based interactive wearable technologies. However, translation of these technologies to the clinic would need further research to increase ease of use and improve clinical validity of the outcomes of these technologies.

Discussion: The current review discusses the limitations of the interactive wearable technologies such as, limited clinical utility, bulky equipment, difficulty in setting up equipment inertial motion sensors and e-textiles.

Conclusion: There is tremendous potential for interactive wearable technologies in rehabilitation. With the evolution of cloud computing, interactive wearable systems can remotely provide intervention and monitor patient progress using models of telerehabilitation. This will revolutionize the delivery of rehabilitation and make rehabilitation more accessible and affordable to millions of individuals.

Keywords: Electromyography; Inertial measurment unit sensors; Rehabilitation; Upper extremity; Wearable technology.