Measurement of Forearm Muscle Activity and Elbow Angle of the Elderly in Using Different Types of Cane Handles through Electromyography (EMG) and Kinovea Software

Abstract

Elderly individuals often experience physical limitations, leading to a decline in their walking ability and an increased risk of falling. Falls among the elderly are a critical issue that can be minimized by using walking aids such as a Cane. However, the use of a cane poses other risks, such as injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), caused by repetitive hand movements and changes in hand angles. The objective of this research is to select the appropriate cane handle to minimize the strain on the wrist by analyzing forearm muscle signals measured using EMG (Electromyography) combined with angle measurements using Kinovea software. The study involved 8 elderly subjects who regularly used a cane during walking gait tests. The distribution of the load during walking with the cane was assessed. The results, in the form of EMG data, were segmented based on time and angles, allowing the extraction of features using the root mean square (RMS) method. The next step involved conducting a three-way ANOVA statistical test for experimental design and identifying interactions between each factor. The findings revealed that the cane handle with a fritz-type grip, positioned posteriorly, and used during the initial phase of walking had the lowest values, measuring 50.373 μV for the fritz cane, 52.03 μV for the posterior position, and 56.74 μV for the initial angle. This indicates that a cane with a fritz handle distributes the load on the forearm towards the wrist more minimally, reducing the risk of CTS.