Exploring IMU and EMG sensor combinations for Shoulder Compensation
QSense Motion is a high-performance IMU sensor platform for measuring human motion in research, sports and rehabilitation. In the MoveVREE project we are combining IMU + EMG sensors. At its core, QSense is all about precise inertial sensing: multi-sensor IMU nodes, sub-millisecond synchronisation and flexible data access for labs, clinics and industry.
Within the MoveVREE project, focused on home-based upper limb stroke rehabilitation, we are now experimenting with adding EMG as an optional extension to QSense Motion. The goal: explore how muscle activation patterns can help detect shoulder compensation and open up new EMG-related applications.
In our research, we emphasize the integration of the IMU and EMG sensor technology to achieve optimal results in rehabilitation. The combination of both IMU and EMG sensor technologies offers insights into muscle activation patterns during rehabilitation exercises.
Why experiment with EMG sensors on top of IMUs?
In stroke rehabilitation, patients often develop compensatory patterns – for example, lifting or tensing the shoulder instead of moving the arm in a controlled way. These patterns are not always easy to see, especially in home-based training.
To explore this further, we are experimenting with a combined IMU + EMG sensor approach:
The game can highlight when a patient keeps the shoulder muscles unnecessarily active or cramped after an exercise.
A small surface EMG sensor is placed on the shoulder.
EMG data is streamed into a VR rehabilitation game (developed by InCorpusVR).
At this stage, EMG is:
- Experimental and research-oriented (the hardware is CE certified and can be used in patient studies)
- Used in pilot setups (e.g. with St. Maartenskliniek in Nijmegen)
- A way to investigate how IMU + EMG together can give deeper insight into compensation and muscle use and also explore the needs for exact time synchronisation between IMU and EMG sensing.
Understanding these compensatory patterns is crucial when utilizing the IMU and EMG sensor for effective patient training.
MoveVREE: making upper limb stroke rehab work at home
The MoveVREE project aims to make VR-based upper limb stroke rehabilitation easy to perform in the home environment. With QSense Motion:
- IMU sensors capture how the arm moves during VR exercises.
- The IMU andEMG sensor allows researchers and clinicians to see when and how shoulder muscles are used and provide real-time feedback.
- Data can be reviewed to refine exercises, reduce compensation and personalise training.
The main objective: help patients perform high-quality movements at home, with better feedback and objective data than “exercise sheets” alone.
IMU and EMG sensor use cases we are exploring
Although QSense Motion is primarily an IMU system, the EMG extension opens several potential use cases we are currently exploring in research settings:
- Detecting shoulder compensation in stroke rehab
- Monitoring muscle relaxation after exercise (e.g. avoiding constant co-contraction)
- Investigating fatigue and overuse of specific muscle groups
- Supporting new biofeedback concepts in VR or digital training tools
From training to daily life monitoring with feedback
Besides using EMG for training purposes in which its important that the patient can easily put the EMG sensor on / off themselves or with help of family or a therapist or you can also consider longer term monitoring where the EMG sensor is integrated in a wearable as shown in the image.
Synchronising IMU and EMG: on the development roadmap
Right now, QSense Motion offers:
- Mature IMU-based motion tracking
- Experimental EMG data streams in selected setups
On our development roadmap are options to:
- Time-synchronise IMU and EMG at high resolution
- Provide combined IMU + EMG data sets for research and advanced analysis
- Develop dedicated software tools and visualisations for compensation detection and pattern recognition
- Enhance feedback mechanisms for patients combining IMU and EMG sensors
For partners with specific research or product ideas around IMU + EMG, we can explore this as custom development, building on the existing QSense Motion infrastructure.
Summary: QSense now, and our next steps
Today: QSense Motion is a proven IMU sensor system for high-quality motion capture and rehabilitation research.
In exploration EMG sensors are being tested as an optional extension to investigate shoulder compensation and other muscle-related applications.
If you are working on stroke rehab, VR-based training, or other projects where IMU and EMG could add value, we’re happy to discuss:
- pilots in clinical or research settings
- integration into existing VR or digital rehab platforms
- custom development around synchronised IMU + EMG data
Interested in collaborating or learning more?
The integration of the IMU + EMG sensor expands our research horizons in stroke rehabilitation. We are currently exploring how the combined IMU and EMG sensor setup can be used to support biofeedback training, helping patients better understand and adjust their movement and muscle activation patterns in real time. In parallel, we are investigating long-term monitoring, where continuous data from the IMU and EMG sensor provides valuable input for ongoing patient assessments and more personalised rehabilitation trajectories.
For the next steps, we are evaluating the performance of our IMU and EMG sensor solutions in different clinical and home-based settings, with a strong focus on usability. Our goal is to ensure that these systems are intuitive and practicalfor both patients and therapists, so they can be seamlessly integrated into daily practice. Ultimately, the evolving capabilities of the IMU and EMG sensor platform are paving the way for enhanced rehabilitation outcomes, opening up new possibilities for data-driven, patient-centred care.
Feel free to contact us to explore how QSense Motion – with IMU today and EMG tomorrow – can support your next project.
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