A Body Machine Interface based on Inertial Sensors

Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc, 2014 · DOI: 10.1109/EMBC.2014.6945026 · Published: January 1, 2014

Simple Explanation

The study introduces a body-machine interface (BMI) that maps residual body movements of spinal cord injury (SCI) survivors to control assistive devices. The BMI uses inertial measurement units (IMUs) to track upper body motions, offering a more robust and less cumbersome alternative to previous designs based on infrared cameras. The interface includes a training program with diverse functional activities like reaching, typing, gaming, and virtual navigation to enhance motor learning and retention for operating computers and powered wheelchairs.

Study Duration

Three weeks for control subjects, more than twenty sessions (twice a week) for SCI subjects

Participants

Three spinal cord injury survivors and three unimpaired age/gender-matched control subjects

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
SCI survivors can effectively operate assistive devices through functional reorganization of their residual upper-body movement skills.
2
Performance across various tasks improved with training, suggesting the effectiveness of the BMI in enabling individuals with motor disabilities to control assistive devices.
3
SCI participants achieved performance levels comparable to able-bodied subjects, indicating a retained high level of control of their shoulder motions despite the injury.

Research Summary

This study presents a body machine interface (BMI) utilizing inertial sensors to enable individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) to control assistive devices through residual upper-body movements. The BMI incorporates a comprehensive training paradigm with diverse tasks such as reaching, typing, gaming, and virtual navigation to facilitate motor learning and retention. Results indicate that SCI survivors can effectively operate assistive devices using the BMI, achieving performance comparable to able-bodied subjects, highlighting the potential for combined assistive and rehabilitative benefits.

Practical Implications

Assistive Technology

The BMI provides an alternative control pathway for individuals with motor disabilities, enabling them to operate computers, powered wheelchairs, and other assistive technologies.

Rehabilitation

The interface engages users in goal-directed physical activity, potentially preventing muscle atrophy and maintaining mobility, combining assistive and rehabilitation goals.

Motor Learning

The training paradigm enhances motor learning and retention by incorporating diverse functional activities and promoting the reorganization of spared body movements.

Study Limitations

1
The study involved a small sample size of three SCI survivors and three control subjects.
2
The heading angle from the IMUs was discarded due to its unreliability in the presence of magnetic disturbances.
3
The long-term effects of the training program on motor skill retention were not evaluated.

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