[Surface electromyography procedure].

Abstract

Surface electromyography (SEMG) is not yet able to substitute needle EMG for diagnosing neuromuscular diseases in our current clinical neurophysiological practice. Several research groups have been working to reach this goal. Thus, we already have available, though imperfect and open to criticism, tools to apply SEMG to follow-up studies of neuromuscular diseases. There are enough scientific data to integrate validated tools into EMG equipment, to provide recommended electrodes and developed techniques and methods for recording and analysing all SEMG components, so that we could study the suggested standardised parameters in our clinical routine context. Independently of the accuracy of clinical indications for the chosen methods, the requirements of sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility should be as substantial for ENG as for needle or surface EMG. They suppose an equal demanding procedure in doing exams and interpreting results. The respective contribution of ENG and needle or surface EMG is still to be confirmed. Respective value and limitations of the force measurements by manual or quantitative testing, functional scales, SEMG or motor unit number counting are not yet evaluated in follow-up studies of neuromuscular diseases.