Analysis of Adaptive Algorithms Based on Least Mean Square Applied to Hand Tremor Suppression Control

The increase in life expectancy, according to the World Health Organization, is a fact, and with it rises the incidence of age-related neurodegenerative diseases. The most recurrent symptoms are those associated with tremors resulting from Parkinson's disease (PD) or essential tremors (ETs). The main alternatives for the treatment of these patients are medication and surgical intervention, which sometimes have restrictions and side effects. Through computer simulations in Matlab software, this work investigates the performance of adaptive algorithms based on least mean squares (LMS) to suppress tremors in upper limbs, especially in the hands. The signals resulting from pathological hand tremors, related to PD, present components at frequencies that vary between 3 Hz and 6 Hz, with the more significant energy present in the fundamental and second harmonics, while physiological hand tremors, referred to ET, vary between 4 Hz and 12 Hz. We simulated and used these signals as reference signals in adaptive algorithms, filtered-x least mean square (Fx-LMS), filtered-x normalized least mean square (Fx-NLMS), and a hybrid Fx-LMS-NLMS purpose. Our results showed that the vibration control provided by the Fx-LMS-LMS algorithm is the most suitable for physiological tremors. For pathological tremors, we used a proposed algorithm with a filtered sinusoidal input signal, Fsinx-LMS, which presented the best results in this specific case.

Automated summary

According to the World Health Organization, the increase in life expectancy has led to a rise in age-related neurodegenerative diseases, particularly tremors associated with Parkinson's disease or essential tremors. This study used computer simulations in Matlab software to investigate the effectiveness of adaptive algorithms based on least mean squares in suppressing tremors in the hands. The Fx-LMS algorithm was found to be most suitable for physiological tremors, while the proposed Fsinx-LMS algorithm showed the best results for pathological tremors in this specific case.