a preliminary investigation assessing the viability of classifying hand postures in seniors初步调查评估分类的可行性在老年人手的姿势.pdfVIP

Tavakolan et al. BioMedical Engineering OnLine 2011, 10:79 /content/10/1/79 RESEARCH Open Access A preliminary investigation assessing the viability of classifying hand postures in seniors * Mojgan Tavakolan, Zhen Gang Xiao and Carlo Menon * Correspondence: cmenon@sfu.ca Abstract MENRVA Group, School of Engineering Science, Faculty of Background: Fear of frailty is a main concern for seniors. Surface electromyography Applied Science, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, (sEMG) controlled assistive devices for the upper extremities could potentially be used Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada to augment seniors’ force while training their muscles and reduce their fear of frailty. In fact, these devices could both improve self confidence and facilitate independent leaving in domestic environments. The successful implementation of sEMG controlled devices for the elderly strongly relies on the capability of properly determining seniors’ actions from their sEMG signals. In this research we investigated the viability of classifying hand postures in seniors from sEMG signals of their forearm muscles. Methods: Nineteen volunteers, including seniors (70 years old in average) and young people (27 years old in average), participated in this study and sEMG signals from four of their forearm muscles (i.e. Extensor Digitorum, Palmaris Longus, Flexor Carpi Ulnaris and Extensor Carpi Radialis) were recorded