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Enhancing Transfemoral Amputee Rehabilitation Outcomes with Electromyography (EMG) and Haptic Feedback in Augmented Reality
Location: 17
Mentor: Dr. Abhishek Prasad
Each year, more than 115,000 people in the United States undergo above-knee amputations (AKA). Following an AKA, it can take up to 10 months for a prosthetic leg to be delivered, during which time amputees suffer significant challenges. Prolonged delays increase the likelihood of experiencing phantom limb pain (PLP), causing vivid and often debilitating sensations where the limb once was. Additionally, extended waiting periods for a prosthesis lead to a loss of motor skills, making it harder to adapt once the prosthesis arrives. Even if immediate delivery were possible, the body requires months to heal before any training can begin with a heavy prosthetic limb.
SimuStride addresses these challenges by enabling amputees to begin rehabilitation just days after surgery. Using an augmented reality (AR) headset and a custom sleeve embedded with electromyographic (EMG) sensors, SimuStride allows amputees to see and control a virtual prosthetic that moves naturally with their body. When interacting with objects in the AR environment, they receive real-time vibrational feedback. In previous studies, closed-loop systems like this have been proven to increase neuroplasticity, reducing PLP and preserving motor skills. By providing early neuromuscular training, SimuStride can facilitate a seamless transition to a physical prosthesis while helping amputees regain mobility faster and with less pain.
