Power spectral analysis of surface electromyography (EMG) at matched contraction levels of the first dorsal interosseous muscle in stroke survivors

Conclusions: There appears to be complex muscular and neural processes at work post stroke that may impact the surface EMG power spectrum. The majority of the tested stroke subjects had lower MPF in the paretic muscle than in the contralateral muscle at matched isometric contraction force. The reduced MPF of paretic muscles can be attributed to different factors such as increased motor unit synchronization, impairments in motor unit control properties, loss of large motor units, and atrophy of muscle fibers.Significance: Surface EMG power spectral analysis can serve as a useful tool to indicate complex neural and muscular changes after stroke.
Source: Clinical Neurophysiology - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Tags: Movement, Motor Control and Movement Disorders Source Type: research