Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
09:14
Surface Electromyographic Biofeedback as a Rehabilitation Tool for Patients with Global Brachial Plexus Injury Receiving Bionic Reconstruction
Published on: September 28, 2019
Differences in EMG spike shape between individuals with and without non-specific arm pain
Kristina M Calder1, David A Gabriel, Linda McLean
1Motor Performance Laboratory, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Louise D. Acton Building, 31 George Street, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6. 4kmc2@queensu.ca
Journal of Neuroscience Methods
|December 20, 2008
Summary
Spike shape analysis of surface electromyographic (SEMG) activity may help identify muscle disorders. This study found differences in SEMG spike shape in individuals with non-specific arm pain (NSAP), suggesting myogenic changes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
Background:
- Non-specific arm pain (NSAP) is a common condition often linked to repetitive strain injuries.
- Surface electromyography (SEMG) is a non-invasive technique to assess muscle electrical activity.
- Understanding muscle function during contraction is crucial for diagnosing and managing neuromuscular disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of SEMG spike shape analysis in studying muscle disorders.
- To investigate SEMG spike shape parameters in individuals with NSAP, at-risk subjects, and controls.
- To examine changes in SEMG spike shape across varying contraction levels.
Main Methods:
- Recorded SEMG data from the ECRB muscle during isometric wrist extension contractions at 10-70% MVC in 3 groups: NSAP, at-risk, and controls.
- Computed five SEMG spike shape parameters: MSA, MSD, MSS, MSF, and MNPPS.
- Utilized ANCOVA to analyze group differences and effects of contraction level and age.
Main Results:
- The NSAP group exhibited significantly lower mean spike slope (MSS) and mean number of peaks per spike (MNPPS) compared to controls.
- All groups showed predictable changes in SEMG parameters with increasing contraction force.
- Significant interactions between group and contraction level were found for MSD, MSA, MSS, and MNPPS, indicating altered responses in the NSAP group.
Conclusions:
- SEMG spike shape analysis reveals differences in the ECRB muscle of individuals with NSAP, suggesting underlying myogenic changes.
- These findings support the potential of SEMG spike shape analysis as a valuable non-invasive tool for evaluating neuromuscular disorders.
- The study provides evidence for myogenic alterations in the ECRB muscle associated with NSAP.
