Feasibility of Muscle Synergy Outcomes in Clinics, Robotics, and Sports: A Systematic Review

Table 8

Selected robotic studies using muscle synergies.

Reference	Robot	Aim	Subjects	Tasks	Muscles (segment)	Outcomes
[52–56] Artemiadis et al. 2006–2012	Arm	Investigate the use of low-dimensional EMG for teleoperation of robot	3 healthy subjects	3D-reaching task	9 (upper limb)	(i) Feasible robot control with significant EMG data reduction; (ii) Possible control in 3D space
[61] Ajoudani et al. 2013	Hand	Propose innovative synergy-based controller	2 healthy subjects	Grasping task	2 (hand)	(i) Synergy-based control able to perform grasping; (ii) Synergy-based control adaptable to grasp compliance
[62] Ison et al. 2015	Arm	Propose an alternative approach for long-term myoelectric control	8 healthy subjects	Reaching task	2 (upper limb)	(i) Differences in muscle synergy organization do not influence task performance
[64] Cimolato et al. 2017	Arm	Describe a muscle synergy-based control	1 healthy subject	Reaching task	16 (trunk and upper limb)	(i) Four synergies to control robot motion; (ii) Performance improvement with synergy-based control
[65] Cunha et al. 2016	Leg	Describe a muscle synergies based control	Simulation	Overground walking	8 (lower limbs)	(i) Two synergies to control six joints; (ii) Muscle synergies robust across strides and speeds
[66] Watanabe et al. 2016	Leg	Propose innovative synergy-based controller	5 healthy subjects	Pedalling	16 (lower limbs)	(i) Three synergies to control musculoskeletal robot
[67] Lunardini et al. 2016	Arm	Propose innovative synergy-based controller	8 healthy subjects	Isometric contractions	8 (lower limb)	(i) Repeatable control across days; (ii) Robust synergy-based control for arm robot