E.M.G. based Bio-Feedback
The term Biomedical feedback usually refers to a method of training a person to voluntarily control a physiological response. It refers to a group of experimental procedures in which an external sensor is used to provide the patient with an indication of the state of a bodily process, usually in an attempt to effect change in the measured quantity. This project uses the display of a computer as the external sensor to provide the method of feedback.
For this project the bodily process under examination will be an ElectroMyoGraphy (EMG) signal. This signal indicates the level of electrical activity taking place during muscle movements.
The Project
The overall aim of this project is to aid in the rehabilitation of damaged arm muscles. The normal course of rehabilitation requires the patient to conduct repetitive exercises. These repetitive exercises, after a period of time, can become boring. By combining these exercises with a game, the focus moves to the game. Thus if the games is interesting and challenging the patient will be playing the game as well as exercising.
This projects utilizes electronic hardware to detect the EMG signal and then processes the signal into computer form. The software then processes it further to provide a modified signal that is related to the power of the original signal. This processed signal is used within the game. The object of the game is to collect the golden crosses and progress to the next level. To do this key presses must be used to move around and collect the objects. When a key is pressed a decision based on the signal is made. The player will either progress or will have to try harder.
The following pages give an overview of the project from a hardware and software point of view, plus information on the status of the project.
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