Multi-MUP EMG analysis--a two year experience in daily clinical work.

A new quantitative motor unit potential (MUP) analysis method, called multi-MUP analysis, is described. Multi-MUP analysis is a type of decomposition analysis of the EMG signal. At each site 6 different MUPs may be recorded during an epoch of 4.8 sec. Calculation time is about 3 sec. A study of 20-30 MUPs including editing takes 4-8 min. Compared to many earlier MUP analysis methods it is faster and more user friendly, therefore it can be used in daily routine EMG analysis. The accuracy and reliability of the method are good. The differences from methods based on manual analysis, spike triggered averaging, template matching and decomposition are discussed. The main advantages of multi-MUP analysis are: (1) quick acquisition of many MUPs; (2) simultaneous collection of several MUPs at one recording site; (3) possibility to analyze not only low threshold MUPs; (4) less bias in the selection of MUPs; and (5) the reproducibility of the results that allow the same reference values to be used in different laboratories. So far we have successfully used this method for 2 years on more than 2000 patients.

[1]  K. McGill,et al.  Automatic decomposition electromyography (ADEMG): validation and normative data in brachial biceps. , 1985, Electroencephalography and clinical neurophysiology.

[2]  E Stålberg,et al.  Automatic analysis of the EMG interference pattern. , 1983, Electroencephalography and clinical neurophysiology.

[3]  S D Nandedkar,et al.  Evaluation of an automatic method of measuring features of motor unit action potentials , 1989, Muscle & nerve.

[4]  S D Nandedkar,et al.  Quantitative EMG in inflammatory myopathy , 1990, Muscle & nerve.

[5]  Ronald S. Lefever,et al.  A Procedure for Decomposing the Myoelectric Signal Into Its Constituent Action Potentials - Part I: Technique, Theory, and Implementation , 1982, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

[6]  Steen Andreassen,et al.  Computer-Aided Electromyography and Expert Systems , 1989 .

[7]  F BUCHTHAL,et al.  Action potential parameters in normal human muscle and their dependence on physical variables. , 1954, Acta physiologica Scandinavica.

[8]  E Stålberg,et al.  Reference values of motor unit action potentials obtained with multi‐MUAP analysis , 1994, Muscle & nerve.

[9]  M Sonoo,et al.  Assessment of variability in the shape of the motor unit action potential, the “jiggle,” at consecutive discharges , 1994, Muscle & nerve.

[10]  E Stålberg,et al.  The ability of MUP parameters to discriminate between normal and neurogenic MUPs in concentric EMG: analysis of the MUP "thickness" and the proposal of "size index". , 1993, Electroencephalography and clinical neurophysiology.

[11]  F Buchthal,et al.  The diagnostic yield of quantified electromyography and quantified muscle biopsy in neuromuscular disorders , 1982, Muscle & nerve.

[12]  F BUCHTHAL,et al.  Action potential parameters in normal human muscle and their physiological determinants. , 1954, Acta physiologica Scandinavica.

[13]  S D Nandedkar,et al.  Analysis of amplitude and area of concentric needle EMG motor unit action potentials. , 1988, Electroencephalography and clinical neurophysiology.

[14]  E Stålberg,et al.  Outliers, a way to detect abnormality in quantitative EMG , 1994, Muscle & nerve.

[15]  S D Nandedkar,et al.  Automatic analysis of the electromyographic interference pattern. Part I: Development of quantitative features , 1986, Muscle & nerve.

[16]  John E. Desmedt,et al.  Computer-aided electromyography , 1983 .

[17]  S. Andreassen,et al.  Quantitative Analysis of Individual Motor Unit Potentials: A Proposition for Standardized Terminology and Criteria for Measurement , 1986, Journal of clinical neurophysiology : official publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society.

[18]  F BUCHTHAL,et al.  ACTION POTENTIAL PARAMETERS IN DIFFERENT HUMAN MUSCLES , 1955, Acta psychiatrica et neurologica Scandinavica.

[19]  Fritz Buchthal,et al.  An introduction to electromyography , 1957 .