MOTOR CONTROL AFTER SPINAL-CORD INJURY - ASSESSMENT USING SURFACE EMG

The brain motor control assessment (BMCA) protocol is a comprehensive multichannel surface EMG recording used to characterize motor control features in persons with upper motor neuron dysfunction. Key informati on is contained in the overall temporal pattern of motor unit activity , observed in the EMG (RMS) envelope. In paralysis, a rudimentary form of suprasegmental control of tonic and phasic reflexes can be demonst rated. EMG patterns evoked by voluntary and passive maneuvers acid by volitional modulation of reflex responses reveal features of motor con trol not apparent in the clinical examination. Such subclinical findin gs may explain paradoxically different responses in apparently similar SCl subjects, and may be used to monitor spontaneous or induced chang es. The recording protocol, examples of EMG patterns, and their preval ence in 40 spinal cord injured (SCl) subjects are presented, and compa red with 5 healthy subjects. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.