Differences in EMG Burst Patterns During Grasping Dexterity Tests and Activities of Daily Living.

Jen Rowson,Alaster Yoxall,Victor Gonzalez

doi:10.3389/fbioe.2018.00068

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize the muscle activation patterns which underlie the performance of two commonly used grasping patterns and compare the characteristics of such patterns during dexterity tests and activities of daily living. EMG of flexor digitorum and extensor digitorum were monitored from 6 healthy participants as they performed three tasks related to activities of daily living (picking up a coin, drinking from a cup, feeding with a spoon) and three dexterity tests (Variable Dexterity Test-Precision, Variable Dexterity Test-Cylinder, Purdue Pegboard Test). A ten-camera motion capture system was used to simultaneously acquire kinematics of index and middle fingers. Spatiotemporal aspects of the EMG signals were analyzed and compared to metacarpophalangeal joint angle of index and middle fingers. The work has shown that a common rehabilitation test such as the Purdue Pegboard test is a poor representation of the muscle activation patterns for activities of daily living. EMG and joint angle patterns from the Variable Dexterity Tests which has been designed to more accurately reflect a range of ADl's were consistently comparable with tasks requiring precision and cylinder grip, reaffirming the importance of object size and shape when attempting to accurately assess hand function.

Highlights

Two of the biggest challenges in the health care environment are the effectiveness and timeefficiency of treatment
This study aims at the quantitative examination of finger coordination from joint angle patterns and muscle activity obtained from motion capture and surface EMG respectively, during the performance of dexterity tests and tasks related to activities of daily living
This difference in activation patterns may be due to object size difference between precision tasks and the Variable Dexterity Test (VDT)-Precision. It has been demonstrated by Canning et al (2000) and Fellows et al (1994) that there is a relation between dexterity and muscle activation patterns, with high dexterity being generally related to minimal muscle activity during task performance, while excessive muscle activation is generally observed in low dexterity patients when no load is applied

Summary

Introduction

Two of the biggest challenges in the health care environment are the effectiveness and timeefficiency of treatment. Both factors can be greatly improved by coupling clinical judgment with appropriate and accurate measurement tools. A robust evaluation of patients with hand impairment conditions must include looking at the patient’s performance areas within the context of his or her daily living. Therapists often evaluate common hand function parameters, such as strength, sensibility, and range of motion, along with the administration of dexterity tests, but may forgo to relate assessment procedures with daily living tasks (Aaron and Jansen, 1992; Metcalf et al, 2008; Osu et al, 2011; Gonzalez, 2016). There is little conformity to specific classifications of grip styles, they are consistently characterized as: tripod, precision, lateral precision, power, spherical, and extension grip styles (TAYLOR and SCHWARZ, 1955; NAPIER, 1956; Landsmeer, 1962; Gonzalez, 2016)

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion