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Updated: May 26, 2026
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Estimation of Contact Regions Between Hands and Objects During Human Multi-Digit Grasping
Published on: April 21, 2023
Selectivity and resolution of surface electrical stimulation for grasp and release
Ard J Westerveld1, Alfred C Schouten, Peter H Veltink
1Laboratory of Biomechanical Engineering, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands. a.j.westerveld@utwente.nl
Summary
Surface electrical stimulation can selectively activate individual finger muscles for grasping function. This study found variability in electrode placement, suggesting personalized designs for rehabilitation devices are crucial.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Electrical stimulation of arm and hand muscles aids patients with motor dysfunction.
- Targeted stimulation of finger and thumb muscles can restore grasping function.
- Selective support of different grasping movements via electrical stimulation requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the extent of individual finger activation using surface electrical stimulation for stroke rehabilitation.
- To identify optimal electrode placements for selective finger stimulation.
- To evaluate the influence of wrist position on stimulation selectivity.
Main Methods:
- Stimulation of extensor digitorum communis (EDC), flexor pollicis longus (FPL), and thenar muscles.
- Measurement of evoked forces in individual fingers.
- Determination of stimulation thresholds and selective ranges per subject.
- Comparison of electrode locations and assessment of wrist position effects.
Main Results:
- Selective stimulation of middle finger extension and thumb flexion was achieved in all subjects.
- Selective stimulation of index and ring finger extension was possible in most subjects.
- Three or four fingers were selectively stimulated in 90% of EDC subjects.
- Significant variability in optimal electrode locations was observed across individuals.
Conclusions:
- Surface electrical stimulation can achieve selective activation of multiple finger extensors and thumb flexors.
- Individual variability in optimal electrode placement necessitates personalized designs for grasping prostheses and rehabilitation devices.
- Optimized designs should accommodate individualized stimulation locations for effective motor rehabilitation.
