Ink-based textile electrodes for wearable functional electrical stimulation: A proof-of-concept study to evaluate comfort and efficacy.
adhesive hydrogel electrodes
functional electrical stimulation
neurorehabilitation
textile electrodes
wearable electronics
Journal
Artificial organs
ISSN: 1525-1594
Titre abrégé: Artif Organs
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 7802778
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
02 Jun 2024
02 Jun 2024
Historique:
revised:
12
04
2024
received:
30
01
2024
accepted:
08
05
2024
medline:
3
6
2024
pubmed:
3
6
2024
entrez:
3
6
2024
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) represents a promising technique for promoting functional recovery in individuals with neuromuscular diseases. Traditionally, current pulses are delivered through self-adhesive hydrogel Ag/AgCl electrodes, which allow a good contact with the skin, are easy-to-use and have a moderate cost. However, skin adherence decreases after a few uses and skin irritations can originate. Recently, textile electrodes have become an attractive alternative as they assure increased durability, easy integration into clothes and can be conveniently cleaned, improving the wearability of FES. However, as various manufacture processes were attempted, their clear validation is lacking. This proof-of-concept study proposes a novel set of ink-based printed textile electrodes and compares them to adhesive hydrogel electrodes in terms of impedance, stimulation performance and perceived comfort. The skin-electrode impedance was evaluated for both types of electrodes under different conditions. These electrodes were then used to deliver FES to the Rectus Femoris of 14 healthy subjects to induce its contraction in both isometric and dynamic conditions. This allowed to compare the two types of electrodes in terms of sensory, motor, maximum and pain thresholds, FES-induced range of motion during dynamic tests, FES-induced torque during isometric tests and perceived stimulation comfort. No statistically significant differences were found both in terms of stimulation performance (Wilcoxon test) and comfort (Generalized Linear Mixed Model). The results showed that the proposed ink-based printed textile electrodes can be effectively used as alternative to hydrogel ones. Further experiments are needed to evaluate their durability and their response to sterilizability and stretching tests.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) represents a promising technique for promoting functional recovery in individuals with neuromuscular diseases. Traditionally, current pulses are delivered through self-adhesive hydrogel Ag/AgCl electrodes, which allow a good contact with the skin, are easy-to-use and have a moderate cost. However, skin adherence decreases after a few uses and skin irritations can originate. Recently, textile electrodes have become an attractive alternative as they assure increased durability, easy integration into clothes and can be conveniently cleaned, improving the wearability of FES. However, as various manufacture processes were attempted, their clear validation is lacking. This proof-of-concept study proposes a novel set of ink-based printed textile electrodes and compares them to adhesive hydrogel electrodes in terms of impedance, stimulation performance and perceived comfort.
METHODS
METHODS
The skin-electrode impedance was evaluated for both types of electrodes under different conditions. These electrodes were then used to deliver FES to the Rectus Femoris of 14 healthy subjects to induce its contraction in both isometric and dynamic conditions. This allowed to compare the two types of electrodes in terms of sensory, motor, maximum and pain thresholds, FES-induced range of motion during dynamic tests, FES-induced torque during isometric tests and perceived stimulation comfort.
RESULTS
RESULTS
No statistically significant differences were found both in terms of stimulation performance (Wilcoxon test) and comfort (Generalized Linear Mixed Model).
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
The results showed that the proposed ink-based printed textile electrodes can be effectively used as alternative to hydrogel ones. Further experiments are needed to evaluate their durability and their response to sterilizability and stretching tests.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Subventions
Organisme : Italian Ministry of Health
Organisme : INAIL
ID : PR19-RR-15
Informations de copyright
© 2024 International Center for Artificial Organ and Transplantation (ICAOT) and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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