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Objective assessment of opioid action by facial muscle surface electromyography (SEMG)
H L Edmonds1, L J Couture, M P Paloheimo
1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Louisville, KY.
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry
|January 1, 1988
Abstract:
1. Activity of the mimetic muscles of the upper face were recorded from awake and anesthetized patients by surface electromyography (SEMG). 2. High amplitude SEMG accompanied ketamine anesthesia and/or the presentation of pain-provoking stimuli. 3. During periods of elevated facial muscle activity, fentanyl or butorphanol decreased SEMG amplitude. 4. The opioid-induced SEMG depression was not consistently associated with either lowered vigilance or analgesia but did provide an objective measure of drug effect.