Exploring physiological signals on people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy for an active trunk support: a case study

Abstract

Background: Arm support devices are available to support people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), but active trunk support devices are lacking. An active trunk support device can potentially extend the reach of the arm and stabilize the unstable trunk of people with DMD. In a previous study, we showed that healthy people were able to control an active trunk support using four different control interfaces (based on joystick, force on feet, force on sternum and surface electromyography). All four control interfaces had different advantages and disadvantages. The aim of this study was to explore which of the four inputs is detectably used by people with DMD to control an active trunk support. Results: The results were subject-dependent in both experiments. In the active experiment, the joystick was the most promising control interface. Regarding the static experiment, surface electromyography and force on feet worked for two out of the three subjects. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first time that people with DMD have engaged in a control task using signals other than those related to their arm muscles. According to our findings, the control interfaces have to be customised to every DMD subject.

Control interfaces for active trunk support

“…The Symbionics project, a continuation of the Flextension project, was set up to enhance assistive technology development [2,3]. It was an umbrella project consisting of several sub-projects and collaborations between universities, companies and patient organizations (see 1.1).…”

“…To achieve this goal, several close to the body, as inconspicuous as possible, which could integrate with the arm supportive device developed in the A-gear project. Potentially, the result would be an integrated comprehensive upper body assistive device to assist people with disabilities to perform ADL using the arm, trunk and head concurrently [3]. Both passive and active supportive devices are being developed.…”