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Published on: September 28, 2019
Electromyographic response is altered during robotic surgical training with augmented feedback.
Timothy N Judkins1, Dmitry Oleynikov, Nick Stergiou
1Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. tjudkins@gmail.com
Journal of Biomechanics
|December 2, 2008
Summary
Robotic surgery training using augmented visual feedback reduces surgeon muscle work and fatigue. Electromyography (EMG) analysis shows this feedback enhances proficiency and physiological adaptation during surgical tasks.
Area of Science:
- Robotics
- Biomechanics
- Surgical Training
Background:
- Robotic surgery is increasingly common in laparoscopy.
- Quantitative measures and augmented feedback can enhance surgical proficiency.
- Understanding the physiological demands on surgeons during robotic surgery is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of real-time augmented visual feedback on muscular activation and fatigue during robotic surgery training.
- To assess if short-term training can reduce the physiological demands on surgeons.
- To utilize clinical biomechanical techniques, specifically electromyography (EMG), for this investigation.
Main Methods:
- Twenty novice surgeons trained on three inanimate tasks using the da Vinci Surgical System.
- Subjects were assigned to one of five feedback groups: speed, relative phase, grip force, video, or control.
- Electromyography (EMG) measures in time and frequency domains were recorded before and after training.
Main Results:
- Surgical training, measured by EMG, decreased overall muscle work.
- Grip force feedback significantly reduced average and total muscle work.
- Training increased median frequency and frequency bandwidth, indicating reduced fatigue and broader motor unit recruitment.
Conclusions:
- Clinical biomechanics via EMG analysis effectively assesses the impact of robotic surgery training.
- Real-time augmented feedback during training can significantly lower physiological demands on surgeons.
- Future research should explore biofeedback of EMG signals during robotic surgery training.
