Uso de tecnologia para auxiliar na avaliação e intervenção fisioterapêutica do membro superior

Abstract

This work is divided into two subprojects: the first corresponds to a patent of a prototype equipment intended to assist physical therapists in the sensory rehabilitation of the hands, the patent application was sent to INPI with the aid of the NIT (Núcleo de Inovação Tecnológica) of the UFTM, receiving the following process number identifier: BR 10 2021 008565 7. The equipment intend to assist the sensory rehabilitation of patients who suffer damage the ulnar and median nerves and who present changes in hand sensitivity. The second project corresponds to a mathematical analysis (using numerical software) of dynamometric signals from the Force-Time curve generated by a maximal palm isometric pressure task and electromyographic signals from four muscles directly involved in palmar pressure: Ulnar Carpal Extensor (UCE), Long Radial Carpal Extensor (LRCE), Ulnar Carpal Flexor (UCF) and Superficial Finger Flexor (SFF). In both analyses, it was tried to find a temporal pattern that could indicate the beginning of the decrease in hand grip strength. This information has fundamental importance to that the physical therapist can choose the time to maintain strength during the performance of exercises for hand rehabilitation. Several mathematical techniques were applied to the signs in an attempt to find a repetition pattern that could reveal the loss of grip strength. Such methods consist of finding the time interval that precedes the fall of the isometric force curve to values below its Effective Value (Root Mean Square - RMS) during an isometric test, and identifying the instant where the lowest value of the median frequency of the electromyographic signal within the proposed task. Dynamometry data collection was performed on both hands of asymptomatic men and women (22 ± 2 years) and electromyography data collection was performed on both hands only in asymptomatic women (42 ± 13 years). The statistical results of the dynamometry indicated that, with a level of significance of 5%, the time from the beginning of the test to the beginning of the decay of the force was approximately 7 seconds, and the results of the electromyographic data, indicated that, with a level of 5% significance, the time from the beginning of the test to the appearance of the lowest median frequency value in the interval was approximately 10 seconds. Both results found are within the time interval suggested by the literature (from 6 to 10 seconds) for performing isometric exercises with the purpose of muscle strengthening.