EMG Analysis of Patients with Unilateral Neck Pain

1999 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Whalen ◽  
Steven P. Konstant ◽  
Teddy W. Worrell ◽  
Sam Kegerreis
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Surface Emg ◽  
High Variability ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Visual Analog Scales ◽  
Vas Scores ◽  
Emg Electrodes

The purpose of this study was to determine whether differences exist in EMG activity between involved and uninvolved upper trapezius muscles in participants with unilateral neck pain. Thirteen volunteers, seen by a physical therapist, gave informed consent. Surface EMG electrodes were placed on involved and uninvolved upper trapezius muscles. Root mean squared EMG activity was measured. Visual analog scales (VASs) for pain were used for each side. Reliability data indicated high ICC (2,1) but also large SEMs and CVs. EMG activity increased from resting to shrugging to abducting positions. Participants perceived greater pain on the involved side than the uninvolved side. EMG readings for individuals were consistent, however, between participants. EMG had high variability. Although participants' VAS scores were consistent with their reports of unilateral neck pain, surface EMG readings did not support the existence of increased muscle activity on the involved side.

Comparison of Electromyographic Activity and Range of Neck Motion in Violin Students with and without Neck Pain During Playing

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 188-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyue-nam Park ◽  
Oh-yun Kwon ◽  
Sung-min Ha ◽  
Su-jung Kim ◽  
Hyun-jung Choi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Axial Rotation ◽  
Surface Emg ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Pain Group ◽  
Kinematic Data ◽  
Upper Trapezius

Neck pain is common in violin students during a musical performance. The purpose of this study was to compare electromyographic (EMG) activity in superficial neck muscles with neck motion when playing the violin as well as neck range of motion (ROM) at rest, between violin students with and without neck pain. Nine violin students with neck pain and nine age- and gender-matched subjects without neck pain were recruited. Muscle activity of the bilateral upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, and superficial cervical extensor muscles was measured using surface EMG. Kinematic data on neck motion while playing and active neck ROM were also measured using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Independent t-tests were used to compare EMG activity with kinematic data between groups. These analyses revealed that while playing, both the angle of left lateral bending and leftward rotation of the cervical spine were significantly greater in the neck pain group than among those without neck pain. Similarly, EMG activity of the left upper trapezius, both cervical extensors, and both sternocleidomastoid muscles were significantly greater in the neck pain group. The active ROM of left axial rotation was significantly lower in the neck pain group. These results suggest that an asymmetric playing posture and the associated increased muscle activity as well as decreased neck axial rotation may contribute to neck pain in violin students.

Use of a Shoulder Rest for Playing the Violin Revisited: An Analysis of the Effect of Shoulder Rest Height on Muscle Activity, Violin Fixation Force, and Player Comfort

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura M Kok ◽  
Jim Schrijvers ◽  
Marta Fiocco ◽  
Barend van Royen ◽  
Jaap Harlaar
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Anterior Part ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Deltoid Muscle ◽  
Surface Emg ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Shoulder Muscles ◽  
Rest Condition

AIMS: For violinists, the shoulder rest is an ergonomic adaptation to reduce musculoskeletal load. In this study, we aimed to evaluate how the height of the shoulder rest affects the violin fixation force and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the superficial neck and shoulder muscles. METHODS: In professional violinists, four different shoulder rest heights during five playing conditions were evaluated. Outcome variables included the jaw-shoulder violin fixation force and bilateral surface EMG of the upper trapezius (mTP), sternocleidomastoid (mSCM), and left anterior part of the left deltoid muscle (mDTA). Playing comfort was subjectively rated on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Linear regression models were estimated to investigate the influence of the shoulder rest height on muscle activity and violin fixation force as well as the muscle activity of the five evaluated muscles on violin fixation force. RESULTS: 20 professional violinists (4 males, 16 females, mean age 29.4 yrs) participated in this study. The shoulder rest condition had a significant effect on playing comfort (p<0.001), with higher shoulder rest conditions associated with decreased subjective playing comfort. The mean violin fixation force for each shoulder rest condition ranged between 2.92 and 3.39 N; higher shoulder rests were related to a higher violin fixation force (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, violin fixation force and muscle activity of the left mDTA increased while playing with an increasing height of the shoulder rest. As the shoulder rest influences muscle activity patterns and violin fixation force, adjustment of the shoulder rest and positioning of the violin need to be carefully optimized.

scholarly journals Comparison of Activity in Scapular Stabilizing Muscles during Knee Push-Up Plus and Modified Vojta’s 3-Point Support Exercises

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1636
Author(s):  
Hyoungwon Lim
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Surface Emg ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Shoulder Injury ◽  
Serratus Anterior ◽  
Point Support ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Lower Trapezius ◽  
Push Up

Selective serratus anterior (SA) strengthening without compensatory movement of the shoulder stabilizers is essential for shoulder stability and functional movement without causing shoulder injury and dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to compare electromyographic (EMG) activity between the SA, upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and pectoralis major (PM) during the knee push-up plus (KPUP) and modified Vojta’s 3-point support (MV3PS) exercises. Scapular stabilizer muscle activity (UT, LT, SA, and PM) was investigated during the KPUP and MV3PS exercises in 40 healthy adults (19 males, 21 females) using surface EMG. Muscle activity of the SA was significantly higher during the MV3PS exercise than during the KPUP (p < 0.05). However, muscle activity in the PM was significantly lower during the MV3PS exercise (p < 0.05). In addition, the LT and UT showed less muscle activity during the MV3PS exercise, although the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that the MV3PS exercise better activates the SA than KPUP.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Immediate Effect of Auricular Acupuncture on Pain and Electromyographic Activity of the Upper Trapezius Muscle in Patients with Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized, Single-Blinded, Sham-Controlled, Crossover Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andréia Cristina de Oliveira Silva ◽  
Daniela Aparecida Biasotto-Gonzalez ◽  
Douglas Meira dos Santos ◽  
Nivea Cristina De Melo ◽  
Cid André Fidelis de Paula Gomes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Crossover Study ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Surface Emg ◽  
Auricular Acupuncture ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Upper Trapezius Muscle

Background. The aim of the present study was to assess the immediate effects of auricular acupuncture (AA) on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the upper trapezius muscle and pain in nonspecific neck pain (NS-NP) patients. Twelve patients with NS-NP (NS-NP group) and 12 healthy subjects (HS Group) were enrolled in a randomized, single-blinded, crossover study. Each subject received a single session of AA and sham AA (SAA). Surface EMG activity was measured in the upper trapezius muscle at different “step contractions” of isometric shoulder elevation (15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% MVC). The outcome measure in patients with NS-NP was based on the numerical pain rating scale (NRS). AA treatment led to a significant decrease in EMG activity in both groups (NS-NP group:p= 0.0001; HS group:p< 0.0001—ANOVA test). This was not the case for the SAA treatment (NS-NP group:p= 0.71; HS group:p< 0.54). Significant decreases (p< 0.001) in the NRS were found for both treatments (AA and SAA). This study demonstrated the immediate effect of auricular acupuncture on the electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius muscle but the effect of this intervention on pain symptoms in patients with nonspecific neck pain was inconclusive.

Myoelectric Activity Differences in Three Learning Sessions

2002 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-96
Author(s):  
Tiina Ritvanen ◽  
Reijo Koskelo ◽  
Osmo H„nninen
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Muscle Tension ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Traditional Learning ◽  
Myoelectric Activity ◽  
School Students ◽  
Language Laboratory ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Muscle Groups

Abstract This study follows muscle activity in three different learning sessions (computer, language laboratory, and normal classroom) while students were studying foreign languages. Myoelectric activity was measured in 21 high school students (10 girls, 11 boys, age range 17-20 years) by surface electromyography (sEMG) from the upper trapezius and frontalis muscles during three 45-min sessions. Root mean square (RMS) average from both investigated muscles was calculated. The EMG activity was highest in both muscle groups in the computer-aided session and lowest in the language laboratory. The girls had higher EMG activity in both investigated muscle groups in all three learning situations. The measured blood pressure was highest at the beginning of the sessions, decreased within 10 min, but increased again toward the end of the sessions. Our results indicate that the use of a computer as a teaching-aid evokes more constant muscle activity than the traditional learning situations. Since muscle tension can have adverse health consequences, more research is needed to determine optimal classroom conditions, especially when technical aids are used in teaching.

scholarly journals Relationship Between Sleep, Neck Muscle Activity, and Pain in Cervical Dystonia

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 285-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Lobbezoo ◽  
Marc Thu Thon ◽  
Guy Rémillard ◽  
Jacques Y. Montplaisir ◽  
Gilles J. Lavigne
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Cervical Dystonia ◽  
Nrem Sleep ◽  
Spinal Pain ◽  
Spasmodic Torticollis ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Neck Muscle ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Before And After

AbstractObjective: The interactions between sleep, neck muscle activity, and cervical spinal pain were examined in a controlled study with nine patients suffering from idiopathic cervical dystonia (ICD; also referred to as spasmodic torticollis), and nine gender- and age-matched controls. Methods: From each participant, two all-night polysomnograms with additional electromyographic recordings from the sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius muscles were obtained. The first night was for habituation to the laboratory environment; the second night for experimental data collection. Visual analogue scales were used to collect intensity and unpleasantness ratings of cervical spinal pain before and after the second sleep recording. Results: None of the standard sleep variables showed statistically significant differences between average values of both groups of participants. However, a significantly larger variance in sleep latency was obtained for the ICD patients. In general, abnormal cervical muscle activity decreased immediately when lying down without the intention to go to sleep. Subsequently, abnormal muscle contractions were gradually abolished in all ICD patients during the transition from relaxed wakefulness to light NREM sleep. Following this transition phase, no more abnormal EMG activity was found in any of our patients. Finally, cervical spinal pain intensity and unpleasantness were reduced by about 50% overnight. Conclusions: Both supine position and sleep can be associated with an improvement of symptoms of ICD, and this disorder does not induce any sleep perturbations.

scholarly journals An Electromyographic Study of the Hip Abductor Muscles as Subjects With a Hip Prosthesis Walked With Different Methods of Using a Cane and Carrying a Load

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (12) ◽  
pp. 1163-1173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald A Neumann
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Hip Prosthesis ◽  
Load Condition ◽  
Surface Emg ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Emg Signal ◽  
Hip Abductor ◽  
Load Conditions

Abstract Background and Purpose. Certain methods of carrying handheld loads or using a cane can reduce the demands placed on the hip abductor (HA) muscles and the loads on the underlying prosthetic hip. In certain conditions, unusually large forces from the HA muscles may contribute to premature loosening of a prosthetic hip. The purpose of this study was to examine HA use by measuring the amplitude of the electromyographic (EMG) signal from the HA muscles as subjects carried a load and simultaneously used a cane. Subjects. Twenty-four active subjects (mean age=63.3 years, SD=10.7, range=40–86) with a unilateral prosthetic hip were tested. Methods. The HA muscle surface EMG activity was analyzed as subjects carried loads weighing 5%, 10%, or 15% of body weight held by either their contralateral or ipsilateral arm relative to their prosthetic hip. They simultaneously used a cane with their free hand. Results. The contralateral cane and ipsilateral load conditions produced HA muscle EMG activity that was approximately 40% less than the EMG activity produced while walking without carrying a load or using a cane. Conclusion and Discussion. People who are in danger of premature loosening of their prosthetic hip should, if possible, avoid carrying loads. If a load must be carried, however, then the contralateral cane and ipsilateral load condition appears to minimize the loads placed on the prosthetic hip due to HA muscle activity.

scholarly journals Visceral Manipulation Decreases Pain, Increases Cervical Mobility and Electromyographic Activity of the Upper Trapezius Muscle in Non-Specific Neck Pain Subjects with Functional Dyspepsia: Two Case Reports

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-30
Author(s):  
Andréia C. O. Silva, PT, MSc ◽  
Claudia S. Oliveira, PT, PhD ◽  
Daniela A. Biasotto-Gonzalez, PT, PhD ◽  
Marco A. Fumagalli, Eng, PhD ◽  
Fabiano Politti, PT, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Emg Signal ◽  
Upper Trapezius Muscle ◽  
One Year

Background and Purpose: The lack of clear knowledge about the etiology of nonspecific neck pain (NS-NP) strengthens the need for other mech-anisms, still poorly described in the literature, to be investigated. Therefore, a quantitative analysis of two cases of NS-NP in subjects with functiona dyspepsia was conducted in order to verify the immediate and seven-day postintervention effects of visceral manipulation (VM) to the stomach and liver on neck pain, cervical range of motion (ROM), and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the upper trapezius muscle. Case Description: Case A was an 18-year-old female with a complaint of nonspecific neck pain for one year, with reported pain on waking, momentary intermittent pain, and occasional symptoms of paresthesia in the upper limbs. Case B was a 25-year-old female with a complaint of cervical pain for one year, accompanied by pain in the unilateral temporomandibular joint, and medial thoracic region. Both cases presented functional dyspepsia.Outcomes: The results demonstrated (sub-jects A and B, respectively) a general increase in cervical ROM (range: 12.5% to 44.44%) and amplitude of the EMG signal (immediately postintervention: 57.62 and 20.78; post seven days: 53.54% and 18.83%), and an increase in muscle fiber conduction velocity immediately postintervention (4.44% and 7.44%) and a de-crease seven days postintervention (25.25% and 21.18%). For pain, a decrease was observed immediately postintervention (23.07% and 76.92%) and seven days postintervention (100% for both subjects). Discussion: A single VM provided important clinical improvement in neck pain, cervical spine range of motion, and EMG activity of the upper trapezius muscle, immediately and seven days postintervention in two NS-NP subjects with func-tional dyspepsia.

scholarly journals Volitional control of reflex cough

2012 ◽  
Vol 113 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen W. Hegland ◽  
Donald C. Bolser ◽  
Paul W. Davenport
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Cortex ◽  
Surface Emg ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Alternative Behavior ◽  
Cough Reflex ◽  
Expiratory Muscles ◽  
Output Characteristics ◽  
Cough Airflow ◽  
Emg Electrodes ◽  
Reflex Cough

Multiple studies suggest a role for the cerebral cortex in the generation of reflex cough in awake humans. Reflex cough is preceded by detection of an urge to cough; strokes specifically within the cerebral cortex can affect parameters of reflex cough, and reflex cough can be voluntarily suppressed. However, it is not known to what extent healthy, awake humans can volitionally modulate the cough reflex, aside from suppression. The aims of this study were to determine whether conscious humans can volitionally modify their reflexive cough and, if so, to determine what parameters of the cough waveform and corresponding muscle activity can be modified. Twenty adults (18–40 yr, 4 men) volunteered for study participation and gave verbal and written informed consent. Participants were seated and outfitted with a facemask and pneumotacograph, and two surface EMG electrodes were positioned over expiratory muscles. Capsaicin (200 μM) was delivered via dosimeter and one-way (inspiratory) valve attached to a side port between the facemask and pneumotachograph. Cough airflow and surface EMG activity were recorded across tasks including 1) baseline, 2) small cough (cough smaller or softer than normal), 3) long cough (cough longer or louder than normal), and 4) not cough (alternative behavior). All participants coughed in response to 200 μM capsaicin and were able to modify the cough. Variables exhibiting changes include those related to the peak airflow during the expiratory phase. Results demonstrate that it is possible to volitionally modify cough motor output characteristics.

High-Density Surface EMG Biofeedback From the Trapezius for Real-Time Postural Correction

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brecca M. Gaffney ◽  
Katrina S. Maluf ◽  
Bradley S. Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain ◽  
The United States ◽  
Surface Emg ◽  
Working Adults ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Postural Correction ◽  
Density Surface

Work-related chronic neck pain is a growing condition in the United States that accounts for 56% to 65% of all occupational disabling injuries [1]. Fifty-four percent of working adults suffer from chronic neck pain within any six-month period and 5% of working adults report that neck pain significantly inhibits daily activities [2]. These conditions have been linked to poor posture in the cervical spine and shoulder [3]. Poor cervical spine posture commonly includes simultaneous extension in the upper vertebrae (C1-C3) and flexion in lower vertebrae (C7-C4). This posture moves the head anterior to the torso and increases the load carried by the upper trapezius (UT) [4]. To maintain this posture, the UT is activated and elevates the scapula. Chronic activation of the UT has been correlated to chronic neck pain [5]. Although there is an apparent correlation between poor posture and neck pain, it is unclear whether neck pain causes poor posture or if poor posture causes neck pain.

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