EMG power spectrum, turns-amplitude analysis and motor unit potential duration in neuromuscular disorders

The diagnostic value of power spectrum analysis of the needle EMG pattern at a force of 30% of maximum was compared to that of turns-amplitude analysis and to that of manual measurements of motor unit potential (MUP) duration in the brachial biceps muscle of 20 patients with myopathy and 11 patients with neurogenic disorders. In myopathy the power spectrum analysis had the same diagnostic value as the turns-amplitude analysis and MUP duration measurements and the 3 methods supplemented each other. In patients with neurogenic disorders the diagnostic value of the power spectrum analysis as well as that of the turns-amplitude analysis were lesser than that of MUP duration measurement. In diseased muscles the amount of high frequencies increased with increasing ratio of turns to mean amplitude while there was no relation between the power spectrum and the MUP changes. The results suggest that the power spectrum analysis of EMG can be used as a diagnostic tool in patients with neuromuscular disorders.