Review of Methods of Finding Muscle Torque in Lower Limb Rehabilitation

With the growing interest in rehabilitation, certain parameters are needed to optimize the design of rehabilitation robots. One of the considerations in design is the mode of measuring muscle torque. Determining the required muscle torque in rehabilitation can aid in reducing strains and assist in injury prevention. The focus of this study is to compare the different methods of measuring muscle torque. In the study, there are five (5) methods discussed – dynamometer, sEMG, cameras, force sensors, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensor. Of the five (5) sensors, it was found that the most commonly used in clinical practice is the dynamometer. The hand-held dynamometer is portable, inexpensive, and easy to use. Cameras, specifically motion tracking cameras, are the most convenient way for remote rehabilitation. Additionally, sEMGs, force sensors, and IMU sensors are used differently in either identifying or predicting muscle torque. Overall, combining different methods may be a way to achieve more accurate and reliable measurements for lower limb rehabilitation.