Description of the research area
The research concerns ambulatory monitoring and artificial support of human movement control:
- Ambulatory monitoring of human motor control involves sensing of electrophysiological signals (EEG, EMG), interface forces and movements (inertial sensing) (figure). The research specifically concerns inertial sensing of body movements, applying sensor fusion methods, and estimation of power transfer between body and environment, dynamics of the environment and performance of movement tasks from sensing of movement and interaction forces using sensors on the interface between body and environment. These methods are applied in neurology and rehabilitation (stroke, Parkinson’s Disease), ergonomics and sports.
Figure. In order to observe how persons control their body movements in an ambulatory setting, several signals can be derived from the physiological motor control system, including neural signals from the Central Nervous System (CNS) (for example ElectroEncephalography, EEG), neural activation of the muscle (ElectroMyoGraphy, EMG) , interaction forces, body movements and neural signals from the physiological sensors.
- Artificial support of human movement control involves bidirectional information exchange with the neuromotor system to support control of sensorimotor function. It includes EMG control and electro- or mechanotactile feedback in lower and upper extremity prostheses (ReflexLeg and MyoPro projects). In addition, monitoring and influencing of cardiac function through sensing and electrical stimulation of the autonomous vagus nerve is investigated.