[Automatic analysis of the electromyogram: technique and results in healthy and ill subjects]

The EMG signal was recorded from the brachial biceps in 12 different needle positions, in control subjects and patients, all the subjects exerting a standard effort. The signal was automatically analysed, off-line, and 18 parameters were computed from the signal waves. These parameters described the electrical activity of the muscle. The comparison between results from control subjects and patients showed significant differences for 13 parameters. Eight of them allowed one to separate neurogenic and myogenic patients. For each parameter, the observed variations from the normal exhibited opposite values for neurogenic and myogenic subjects. Some neurogenic patients with apparently normal biceps had a pathological quantitative analysis. The method could thus be used to reveal early disturbances.