Biomechanical analysis of spine and shoulder compensation in a user of an ultrasound-based human–machine interface for hand control
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Hakami, Halla Hussein
Sgambato, Bruno Grandi
Banger, Matthew S
Farina, Dario
McGregor, Alison H
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Upper limb amputation often leads to compensatory movement patterns that increase the risk of overuse injuries in the shoulder and spine. This work highlights the urgent need for a refined model of compensatory strategies, particularly how prosthetic degree of freedom (DoF) restrictions influence movement distribution across the shoulder and spine. Such a model is crucial for informing the design and control of nextgeneration prostheses that minimize compensatory burden and improve user outcomes. A male participant with trans-radial amputation - who routinely uses a simple on/off myoelectric prosthesis was fitted with a custom socket and a prosthetic controlled by a 32-channel A-mode ultrasound interface, and performed the Clothespin Relocation Test. Motion capture and surface electromyography were used to assess shoulder and trunk compensation across three wrist configurations: restricted supination/pronation, flexion/extension, and a combined restriction. Limiting supination/pronation at the wrist resulted in greater shoulder range of motion and lumbar muscle activity, while flexion/extension restrictions led to increased thoracic spine involvement. The combined supination/pronation and flexion/extension at the wrist joint reduced the total compensation but shifted the load to the nondominant shoulder. These results highlight the adaptable nature of the musculoskeletal system and underscore the importance of optimizing wrist DoFs in prosthetic design. Findings also inform rehabilitation strategies by identifying high-risk compensatory zones, offering guidance to improve prosthetic function and reduce long-term musculoskeletal injury.
Date Issued
2025-08-06
Date Acceptance
2025-07-01
Citation
2025 International Conference on Control, Automation and Diagnosis (ICCAD), 2025, pp.1-6
Publisher
IEEE
Start Page
1
End Page
6
Journal / Book Title
2025 International Conference on Control, Automation and Diagnosis (ICCAD)
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2025, IEEE. This is the author’s accepted manuscript made available under a CC-BY licence in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy)
License URL
Source
2025 International Conference on Control, Automation and Diagnosis (ICCAD)
Publication Status
Published
Start Date
2025-07-01
Finish Date
2025-07-03
Coverage Spatial
Barcelona, Spain