The purpose of this study was to investigate muscle activities of the upper limbs while driving a power wheelchair. Eleven healthy individuals were recruited to perform four joystick control tasks, including forward, backward, left-turn, and right-turn. The results of this study would establish a norm for evaluating the controls of a power wheelchair in children with cerebral palsy. The surface electromyographic monitor (EMG) was used to record the contractions of extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU), flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), and flexor carpi radialis (FCR). The integration of EMG signals was used to quantify the muscle efforts. The results showed that participants use more muscle efforts in ECU during backward early, but during left-turn later. The results of the forearm muscle activations can be used to guide training of children with cerebral palsy to drive a power wheelchair.
(PDF) Activation Sequence Patterns of Forearm Muscles for Driving a Power Wheelchair. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318178522_Activation_Sequence_Patterns_of_Forearm_Muscles_for_Driving_a_Power_Wheelchair [accessed Aug 23 2018].
