Quantitative Interference Pattern Analysis in Adolescence

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2009;11(1):17-23.
Published online June 1, 2009.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to establish the turns-amplitude, activity-envelope amplitude andactivity-number of small segments (NSS) clouds of normal adolescent with using quantitative interferencepattern analysis.
Method: Healthy adolescents whose ages were from 15 to 19 years old participated in this study. Usingquantitative EMG of the biceps brachii, and tibialis anterior muscle, the interference patterns were analyzed.The interference patterns were measured at three to five different force levels, ranging from minimumto maximum, and recorded at least 20 epochs at each muscle.
Results: The turns-amplitude, activity-envelope amplitude and activity-NSS of the biceps brachii, andtibialis anterior muscles were obtained in males and females. On the basis of the linear regression equationof log of each variables, the±2 standard deviations were set to a normal range. These range weredrawn on the original plot with linear scale and normal range was obtained by setting upper limits on eachvariables. The establishment of normal clouds of gender related turns-amplitude, activity-envelope amplitudeand activity-NSS were obtained.
Conclusion: By using normal cloud patterns of turns-amplitude, activity-envelope amplitude and activity-NSS, automatic interference pattern analysis may contribute to diagnose neuromuscular disease in adolescentpatients.

Key Words: Interference pattern, Normal cloud, Quantitative EMG