L2M NSERC - An EMG-based biofeedback system to facilitate neuroplastic adaptation in healthy and clinical populations

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Exercise professionals, including physiotherapists and athletic coaches or trainers, work to modify human movement by identifying and addressing subtle deviations in movement strategy that are often difficult to detect visually. Useful information about muscle activation strategies can be obtained using electromyography (EMG), but this requires expert signal acquisition and interpretation. Biofeedback systems have been developed to enhance access to the valuable information contained in EMG signal by automating its translation into useful feedback for the client. However, the impact of these systems is limited because they integrate EMG from just one or two muscles. Postural adjustments and other distributed muscle activities are not captured and must still be addressed by verbal or physical cueing pursuant to visual detection by a trained exercise professional. To address this shortcoming, we have designed a system that integrates four or more muscle sources into useful EMG biofeedback. First, EMG signal is recorded during several repetitions of selected movements that are specific to the training intervention. These are performed under the supervision of an exercise professional who provides guiding cues to ensure optimal movement patterns are produced. This EMG data is used to build a machine learning model that can identify movements being performed in real-time. The model enables the user to control a Tetris game wherein movements correspond to block manipulations when the associated optimal EMG pattern has been matched. Predictions by the machine learning model integrate data from all sensors, and can thus capture much of the distributed muscle activations that contribute to trained movements. The NSERC Lab2Market program will accelerate the delivery of our product to those who can benefit by developing skills required to evaluate and maximize the commercial potential of our device. Our system has potential to benefit Canadians living with conditions that impact muscle control (e.g., stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis etc.), and can also aid in the training of skilled athletes or workers where modifying movement patterns can improve performance or prevent injury.