Exploring electromyography for assistive technology: feasibility, usability and performance of a dry sensor EMG
Simon Judge1,2
1Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Assistive Technology Team, Barnsley, United Kingdom.
Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology
|May 14, 2025
Summary
Electromyography (EMG) switches show promise for individuals with physical disabilities, offering faster reaction times and less effort. However, further development is needed to improve usability and reduce false activations for wider adoption.
Area of Science:
- Assistive Technology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Engineering
Background:
- Switch access is crucial for individuals with physical disabilities.
- Conventional electro-mechanical switches are widely used.
- Electromyography (EMG) has potential but is underexplored for switch access.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility, usability, and performance of a novel dry sensor EMG switch.
- To compare EMG switch performance with conventional switches.
- To gather user feedback on EMG switch control for assistive technology.
Main Methods:
- An exploratory study involving twelve participants with diverse physical disabilities.
- Trialing a novel dry sensor EMG switch.
- Collecting reaction time data and qualitative feedback via semi-structured interviews.
Main Results:
- The EMG switch demonstrated feasibility across various placements and users, even in situations where conventional switches failed.
- Participants with hypokinetic movement disorders may benefit from EMG switches, reporting less effort and fatigue.
- Faster reaction times were observed with the EMG switch, though increased false activations and setup complexity impacted usability.
Conclusions:
- EMG switches present potential advantages for assistive technology.
- Further research and development are required to enhance usability and minimize false activations.
- Addressing these challenges is key for broader adoption of EMG switch technology.
