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Control of a hand grasp neuroprosthesis using an electroencephalogram-triggered switch: Demonstration of improvements in performance using wavepacket analysis

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Abstract

Volitionally modulated electroencephalographic (EEG) waves were monitored for the purpose of controlling a hand neuroprosthesis in people with tetraplegia. The region of the EEG signal spectrum monitored was the occipital alpha wave (8–13 Hz), and volitional modulation was achieved with the opening and closing of the eyes. In a set of 13 trials evaluated, a subject with tetraplegia successfully completed ten trials undertaking stimulated grasp and release using the EEG-triggered switch. EEG signal data recorded during the 13 trials were also post-processed off-line using wavepacket analysis. Following this signal processing, the speed and reliability of the EEG-triggered switch, when operated by the subject with tetraplegia, was significantly improved (p<0.002). Such improvements provide system performance that is likely to be acceptable to a neuroprosthesis user during activities of daily life.

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Correspondence to T. R. D. Scott.

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Heasman, J.M., Scott, T.R.D., Kirkup, L. et al. Control of a hand grasp neuroprosthesis using an electroencephalogram-triggered switch: Demonstration of improvements in performance using wavepacket analysis. Med. Biol. Eng. Comput. 40, 588–593 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02345459

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