Comparative Evaluation of Myography Techniques for Prosthetic Hand Control

Abstract

This review evaluates electromyography (EMG), force myography (FMG), sonomyography (SMG), and optical myography (OMG) for prosthetic hand control, comparing the modalities across signal propagation, signal accuracy, noise resistance, real-time processing, suitability for prosthetic control, and relative cost and system complexity. Upper limb loss affects a substantial and growing population worldwide, yet prosthesis abandonment remains common, in part because of limitations in control, functionality, and intuitive operation. Surface EMG is the most clinically established modality and supports real-time control, but its performance can be affected by noise, electrode-related factors, and reduced classification stability across recording sessions. FMG, including optical fiber implementations, has demonstrated high gesture classification performance in controlled studies and offers resistance to electromagnetic interference together with relatively simple signal processing; however, reported results vary according to sensor configuration, task, participant population, and validation method. SMG provides access to deformation of both superficial and deeper muscle structures but is limited by transducer position sensitivity and comparatively greater acquisition and processing requirements. OMG provides a noninvasive optical approach, with near-infrared implementations showing potential for wearable sensing, although evidence for long-term prosthetic hand control remains limited. Because the available studies differ substantially in participant populations, gesture sets, sensing configurations, classification algorithms, and validation procedures, their reported performance values cannot be interpreted as direct head-to-head comparisons. Among the approaches reviewed, optical fiber FMG is a promising option for portable prosthetic hand control under the conditions evaluated in existing studies, although current evidence does not establish a universally superior modality.