Robot-assisted assessment of muscle strength.

Journal: Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation
Published Date:

Abstract

Impairment of neuromuscular function in neurological disorders leads to reductions in muscle force, which may lower quality of life. Rehabilitation robots that are equipped with sensors are able to quantify the extent of muscle force impairment and to monitor a patient during the process of neurorehabilitation with sensitive and objective assessment methods. In this article, we provide an overview of fundamental aspects of muscle function and how the corresponding variables can be quantified by means of meaningful robotic assessments that are primarily oriented towards upper limb neurorehabilitation. We discuss new concepts for the assessment of muscle function, and present an overview of the currently available systems for upper limb measurements. These considerations culminate in practical recommendations and caveats for the rational quantification of force magnitude, force direction, moment of a force, impulse, critical force (neuromuscular fatigue threshold) and state and trait levels of fatigue.

Authors

  • Marco Toigo
    Laboratory for Muscle Plasticity, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. marco.toigo@oym.ch.
  • Martin Flück
    Laboratory for Muscle Plasticity, Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
  • Robert Riener
    Sensory-Motor Systems Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
  • Verena Klamroth-Marganska
    Sensory-Motor Systems Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.