Comparing Coactivation Levels of Children with Congenital Upper Limb Reductions Before and After 8-week Prosthesis Use
Presenter Type
UNO Graduate Student (Masters)
Major/Field of Study
Biomechanics
Author ORCID Identifier
0000-0003-1928-1917
Advisor Information
Jorge Zuniga
Location
MBSC306 - G (Masters)
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
24-3-2023 9:00 AM
End Date
24-3-2023 10:15 AM
Abstract
Children born with Upper Limb Reduction Deficiency (ULRD) often lack many motor functions and struggle to perform daily tasks. Prosthetic devices are often prescribed to children to assist with tasks of daily living. However, high prosthetic rejection rates are often attributed to a lack of functionality or wearability, which can be addressed through training programs. To better understand rejection rates, changes in muscle activity over training periods with a body-powered prosthesis can inform researchers how to enhance assistive devices and training. The purpose of this project is to collect Electromyography (EMG) data on children with congenital upper-limb reductions to compare muscle coactivation levels before and after an 8-week home training period. Children ages 5 to 19 will be recruited to participate in this study. They will be asked to complete two data collection sessions before and after an 8-week home-based training. During the data collections participants will be asked to perform maximum contractions while wearing EMG sensors. During the 8 weeks of training, they will be learning and practicing various tasks that mimic activities of daily living. We expect to find that the coactivation levels of children with ULRD will decrease over time due to the training because we predict that learning improves the functional performance of prosthetics through gradual increases in degrees of freedom.
Scheduling
9:15-10:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m.-Noon, 1-2:15 p.m.
Comparing Coactivation Levels of Children with Congenital Upper Limb Reductions Before and After 8-week Prosthesis Use
MBSC306 - G (Masters)
Children born with Upper Limb Reduction Deficiency (ULRD) often lack many motor functions and struggle to perform daily tasks. Prosthetic devices are often prescribed to children to assist with tasks of daily living. However, high prosthetic rejection rates are often attributed to a lack of functionality or wearability, which can be addressed through training programs. To better understand rejection rates, changes in muscle activity over training periods with a body-powered prosthesis can inform researchers how to enhance assistive devices and training. The purpose of this project is to collect Electromyography (EMG) data on children with congenital upper-limb reductions to compare muscle coactivation levels before and after an 8-week home training period. Children ages 5 to 19 will be recruited to participate in this study. They will be asked to complete two data collection sessions before and after an 8-week home-based training. During the data collections participants will be asked to perform maximum contractions while wearing EMG sensors. During the 8 weeks of training, they will be learning and practicing various tasks that mimic activities of daily living. We expect to find that the coactivation levels of children with ULRD will decrease over time due to the training because we predict that learning improves the functional performance of prosthetics through gradual increases in degrees of freedom.
Additional Information (Optional)
electrical outlet and connection to a screen to present slides.