Force Sensation Induced by Electrical Stimulation of the Tendon of Biceps Muscle

Akifumi Takahashi,Hiroyuki Kajimoto

doi:10.3390/app11178225

Akifumi Takahashi, Hiroyuki Kajimoto

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app11178225

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Abstract

Many wearable interfaces have been proposed to present force to the upper limb and elbow joint. One way to achieve a compact wearable haptic interface is to use electrical stimulation, and we have suggested that transcutaneous electrical stimulation above the wrist tendon can produce force a sensation in the direction of the muscle stretching; however, it has not been investigated in detail whether the force sensation presented by the electrical stimulation of the tendon occurs in the upper limb joints. In this study, to investigate whether the force sensation is generated when applying electrical stimulation of the skin at the tendon or at the muscle belly of the biceps brachii muscle, we quantitatively evaluated the direction and amount of the force sensation under the aforementioned conditions. The results showed that the electrical stimulation of the tendon produced significant force sensation in the direction of elbow extension. On the other hand, in some participants, the electrical stimulation of the muscle belly worked as a supporting force, resulting in the sensation of weakened force perception. In general, we concluded that the sensation produced by muscle stimulation was different from that produced by stimulation of the tendon.

Highlights

When a person supports an object, a force interacts between the object and the body.This force causes localized skin deformation and provides detailed shape and texture information
We especially focused on Golgi tendon organs, which are related to muscle tension and force
We quantitatively evaluated the presence, direction, and amount of force sensation induced by electrical stimulation of the tendon and on the muscle belly regions of the biceps brachii muscle

Summary

Introduction

When a person supports an object, a force interacts between the object and the body.This force causes localized skin deformation and provides detailed shape and texture information. A certain amount of force attempts to bend limbs around a joint, changing muscle length if the limbs are physically bent or making the motor nerves excited and causing the muscles to contract if a person tries to resist the external force. These haptic sensations provide detailed information about the interaction between the body and objects that cannot be obtained through vision alone. Movements around the joints are perceived by the receptors around the muscles Such a haptic sensation is called proprioception

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