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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
A Structured Rehabilitation Protocol for Improved Multifunctional Prosthetic Control: A Case Study
Published on: November 6, 2015
Control of a hand grasp neuroprosthesis using an electroencephalogram-triggered switch: demonstration of improvements
J M Heasman1, T R D Scott, L Kirkup
1Quadriplegic Hand Research Unit incorporating The Spinal Cord Injuries Unit, Department of Hand & Microsurgery, Department of Biomedical Engineering for Northern Sydney Health, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, Australia.
Abstract:
Volitionally modulated electroencephalographic (EEG) waves were monitored for the purpose of controlling a hand neuroprosthesis in people with tetraplegia. The region of the EEG signal spectrum monitored was the occipital alpha wave (8-13 Hz), and volitional modulation was achieved with the opening and closing of the eyes. In a set of 13 trials evaluated, a subject with tetraplegia successfully completed ten trials undertaking stimulated grasp and release using the EEG-triggered switch. EEG signal data recorded during the 13 trials were also post-processed off-line using wavepacket analysis. Following this signal processing, the speed and reliability of the EEG-triggered switch, when operated by the subject with tetraplegia, was significantly improved (p < 0.002). Such improvements provide system performance that is likely to be acceptable to a neuroprosthesis user during activities of daily life.
