Muscle Effort Using a Reacher Assistive Device: The Influence of Forearm Support

A reacher is an assistive device utilized for reaching items placed overhead or on the floor by individuals with arthritis, post-surgical total joint replacement, spinal injuries and more. A forearm support for a reacher device has been developed to decrease the amount of force distribution placed through the wrist. Also, allowing for movement at the wrist to decrease the range of motion needed in the upper extremity for the object retrieval process. The forearm support can fold up or collapse to allow use of the reacher device without having to utilize the forearm support. This paper analyzes and compares the effectiveness of the forearm support through the use of surface electromyography providing insight in the control strategies utilized when using such assistive devices.