The Effectiveness of FES-Evoked EMG Potentials to Assess Muscle Force and Fatigue in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Sensors, 2014 · DOI: 10.3390/s140712598 · Published: July 14, 2014

Simple Explanation

The study reviews the use of evoked electromyographic (eEMG) signals to monitor electrical changes in muscles during activity and contractions, particularly in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) undergoing functional electrical stimulation (FES). The review examines the effectiveness of eEMG potentials in assessing muscle force and fatigue, focusing on its role as a biofeedback descriptor for FES-evoked contractions in individuals with SCI. The findings indicate that eEMG is effective in quantifying muscle force and fatigue during isometric contractions but may be less effective during dynamic contractions like cycling and stepping.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

59 trials met the inclusion criteria

Evidence Level

Systematic Review

Key Findings

1
eEMG is effective at quantifying muscle force and fatigue during isometric contraction.
2
eEMG may not be effective during dynamic contractions including cycling and stepping.
3
Positive correlation of up to r = 0.90 (p < 0.05) between the decline in the peak-to-peak amplitude of the eEMG and the decline in the force output during fatiguing isometric contractions has been reported.

Research Summary

This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of evoked EMG in characterizing force and fatigue during FES-elicited muscle contractions, especially in subjects with spinal cord injuries. The review highlighted that eEMG is effective in quantifying muscle force and fatigue during isometric contractions, but its effectiveness is limited during dynamic activities like cycling and stepping. The study emphasizes the need for more extensive research to validate eEMG as a practical measure of muscle force and fatigue in clinical settings for SCI rehabilitation.

Practical Implications

Clinical Decision-Making

The review's recommendations are intended to guide decision-making in clinical practices and promote the use of FES technology as a rehabilitation tool in assistive technology and exercise science.

Assistive Technology

Findings can help optimize FES systems by improving the assessment of muscle fatigue and force generation, leading to better assistive devices for individuals with SCI.

Rehabilitation Strategies

The insights from this review can inform the development of more effective rehabilitation strategies that utilize eEMG feedback to enhance muscle function and reduce fatigue during FES-based therapies.

Study Limitations

1
Limited number of trials specifically investigating muscle force quantification and fatigue assessment with evoked EMG parameters in SCI populations.
2
Insufficient evidence and lack of randomized control trials to generalize observed trends.
3
Exclusion of non-human subject studies and studies reported in languages other than English may limit generalization.

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