Extensor Digitorum Communis Compartments With a Double Compensation Synergy Strategy for Constant Force Control of the Index Finger

Precise sustained force control of the fingers is important for achieving flexible hand movements. However, how neuromuscular compartments within a forearm multi-tendon muscle cooperate to achieve constant finger force remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the coordination strategies across multiple compartments of the extensor digitorum communis (EDC) during index finger sustained constant extension. Nine subjects performed index finger extensions of 15%, 30%, and 45% maximal voluntary contractions, respectively. High-density surface electromyography signals were recorded from the EDC and then analyzed using non-negative matrix decomposition to extract activation patterns and coefficient curves of EDC compartments. The results showed two activation patterns with stable structures during all tasks: one pattern corresponding to the index finger compartment was named primary pattern; whereas the other corresponding to other compartments was named auxiliary pattern. Further, the intensity and stability of their coefficient curves were assessed using the root mean square value (RMS) and coefficient of variation (CV). The RMS and CV values of the primary pattern increased and decreased with time, respectively, while the corresponding values of the auxiliary pattern were both negatively correlated with the formers. These findings suggested a special coordination strategy across EDC compartments during index finger constant extension, manifesting as two compensations of the auxiliary pattern for the intensity and stability of the primary pattern. The proposed method provides new insight into the synergy strategy across multiple compartments within a forearm multi-tendon during sustained isometric contraction of a single finger and a new approach for constant force control of prosthetic hands.