Arjen Bergsma

• Dr. Ir.
• University of Twente

Background Many wheelchair users experience disabilities in stabilising and positioning of the head. For these users, adequate head support is required. Although several types of head supports are available, further development of these systems is needed to improve functionality and quality of life, especially for the group of severely challenged u...

Background: Arm support devices are available to support people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), but active trunk support devices are lacking. An active trunk support device can potentially extend the reach of the arm and stabilize the unstable trunk of people with DMD. In a previous study, we showed that healthy people were able to control...

Introduction: Accelerometry of the upper extremity (UE) potentially provides information on the extent of activities in daily life in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the validity of home measurements of UE accelerometry. Methods: A cross-sectional study in 16 DMD patients (aged 7-17 years). Patien...

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a muscular condition that leads to muscle loss. Orthotic devices may present a solution for people with DMD to perform activities of daily living (ADL). One such device is the active trunk support but it needs a control interface to identify the user’s intention. Myoelectric control interfaces can be used to det...

The human hand is important for the performance of activities of daily living which are directly related to quality of life. Various conditions, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) can affect the function of the human hand and wrist. The ability to assess the impairment in the hand and the wrist by measuring the range of motion (ROM), is esse...

A feasibility study was performed to evaluate control interfaces for a novel trunk support assistive device (Trunk Drive) namely, joystick, force on sternum, force on feet and EMG (electromyography) to be used by adult men with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the different control in...

Background: Prosthetic services are inaccessible to people living in rural areas. Systems like the modular socket system have the potential to be fabricated outside of the prosthetic workshop. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the patient’s performance and satisfaction with the use of the modular socket system, and the technical feasibility...

(Use this link for free access until 27-01-2018: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1WBDc3QUujYaQD) The aim of this research was to study impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions due to upper limb involvement in people with four different types of neuromuscular disorders (NMD) - FacioScapuloHumeral Dystrophy (FSHD), Limb-Girdle...

Please find the presented poster here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320922355_The_Modular_Socket_System_as_rural_solution_in_Indonesia

Feasible, sensitive and clinically relevant outcome measures are of extreme importance when designing clinical trials. For paediatric mitochondrial disease, no robust end point has been described to date. The aim of this study was to select the domains of daily physical activity, which can be measured by 3D accelerometry, that could serve as sensit...

Purpose To investigate the upper extremity (UE) at the level of impairments and related activity limitations and participation restrictions in people with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Methods The study was conducted using web-based questionnaires that were distributed amongst people with FSHD in the Netherlands. Eighty-eight respo...

Purpose: The aims of this review were (1) to provide insight into the natural course of upper-extremity (UE) impairments and UE activity limitations associated with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) and limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMD), and (2) to provide an overview of outcome measures used to evaluate UE function and activity in patien...

To compare the kinematics and muscle activity of facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) subjects with healthy controls during the performance of standardized upper extremity tasks. . DESIGN: Exploratory case-control study. The study was performed in the movement laboratory of the University of Maastricht, The Netherlands. 11 subjects with FSHD and 8...

With increasing life expectancy, upper extremity (UE) function becomes more and more important in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Knowledge of UE function in these children is, however, limited. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the changing patterns of UE function during the course of DMD. A Web-based questionnaire on UE...

Background Assistive devices that augment arm function were already introduced during the polio era. Devices are still being developed, but a review has not been performed thus far. Objective To create an overview and categorize assistive devices facilitating arm function in activities of daily living for people with decreased arm function. Study...

Muscular dystrophies (MDs) are characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness. Several studies have been conducted to investigate the influence of arm supports in an attempt to restore arm function. Lowering the load allows the user to employ the residual muscle force for movement as well as for posture stabilization. In this pilot study...

Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophies (LGMD) mainly involve the pelvic and shoulder girdle muscles. One of the major problems is limitations in daily activities. The natural course of the diseases is described before, and research is done to investigate functional ability of walking. However, little is known about functional abilities of the arms. Arm f...

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a progressive muscular dystrophy. One of the major problems is limitations in performing daily activities. The natural course of the disease is described before. However, little is known about functional abilities of the arms, which is important in performing many daily activities. Arm functionality...

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a progressive muscular dystrophy. One of the major problems is limitations in performing daily activities. The natural course of the disease has been described before, and research is done to investigate functional ability of walking. However, little is known about functional abilities of the arms, w...

Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophies (LGMD) mainly involve the pelvic and/or shoulder girdle muscles. One of the major problems is limitations in performing daily activities. The natural course of the disease has been described before, and research is done to investigate functional ability of walking. However, little is known about functional abilities...

Duchenne muscle dystrophy (DMD) is a disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness, resulting in loss of functions. With increasing life expectancy, the preservation of functional abilities becomes increasingly important. Good knowledge on functional abilities is needed, since this information is important for developing new supportive aids...