Applicability of Mobile Based Electromyography Visual Biofeedback Training to Improvement of Muscle Activity and Joint Range of Motions of Stroke Patients: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background Recently, a lot of visual feedback training equipment using the electromyography in a mobile environment has been developed. These devices are small, easy to use, and inexpensive. Despite the various advantages of such equipment, it is still not widely used in the clinical field, and research on it is lacking. Objective The purpose of this study is to introduce the mobile-based electromyography visual feedback training equipment and evaluate the usability for the muscle activity improvements in stroke patients. Methods This study was conducted in 12 patient with chronic stroke. To evaluate the usability of mobile-based electromyography training equipment, this research compared the immediate effects of the traditional tactile feedback training and the mobile-based electromyography training on 12 stroke patients. The MVIC muscle activity of the tibialis anterior, quadriceps femoris and gluteus maximus as well as the range of motion of the ankle dorsiflexion, hip joint extension and knee joint extension were measured before and after intervention. Resutls As a result of this study, the tibialis anterior, quadriceps femoris, and gluteus maximus muscle activity were all significantly different in mobile-based electromyography visual feedback training. In the comparison of the effects on the range of motion, there was a significant difference in mobile-based electromyography visual feedback training only in the knee extension. Conclusions Mobile-based electromyography visual feedback training is expected to be able to improve muscle activity and range of motion in stroke patients more effectively than conventional tactile training.