Quantitative assessment test for upper-limb motor function by using EMG and Kinematic Analysis in the practice of Occupational Therapy

This paper proposes a quantitative assessment test of stroke patients' upper limb motor functions during occupational therapy. Conventional assessments are performed based on therapists' observations and subjective judgments which make it hard to recognize the qualitative functional changes. To suggest quantitative function indices, we measured electromyogram and kinematic parameters from 6 stroke patients during the 'stacking cones' task and the 'ROM arc' task using motion sensors and EMG sensor attached on the brachial, and analyzed motor functions. The selected indices that represent the motor function were the mean of angular velocity, the number of extrema, and the difference between tension of flexor (FCU, FCR and Brachioradialis m.) and extensor ECU, ECR and EDM). We compared the indices of affected and less affected upper limbs of each subject and it showed statistical significance during the given tasks (p<0.05). Therefore, the quantitative assessment is expected to integrate the process of treatment and evaluation.