Electroencephalography as an Alternative to Electromyography Prosthesis Control, a Scientific Review

In the field of rehabilitation, various methods have been investigated to restore motor skills in individuals who have lost a limb. According to the literature, the most commonly used method involves utilizing myoelectric signals to control and move prostheses by capturing signals from muscle nerves. However, when there are limitations with myoelectric signals, alternative signals can be utilized. This study aimed to evaluate the scientific evidence on EEG signals for the movement of upper and lower limb prostheses. To achieve this, a comprehensive review of scientific articles available in the IEEE Xplorer and PubMed databases was conducted. The inclusion criteria consisted in studies involving patients with arm and/or leg amputation, studies evaluating the use of EEG signals for prosthesis monitoring, and studies evaluating the efficacy, accuracy, usability, clinical benefits, and/or limitations of the use of the signals. In the present study, the authors selected eleven articles for discussion in the course of the review. The majority of the selected articles narrate about the prosthesis tests performed with EEG on the several patients with different types of amputation. The findings indicate that EEG-controlled prostheses present significant potential as a viable alternative to myoelectric devices, showcasing promising advancements in the field of prosthetic control and movement.