SIGNAL-PROCESSING IN ELECTROMYOGRAPHY - A N UPDATE

Automatic analysis of electromyography (EMG) signals, first operated i n 1950 with analogic machines, steeply expanded from 1980 when fast co mputers and worthwhile programs became available. OR-line measurement of response area and latency, averaging of low amplitude waves, fast s orting of motor unit potential shape parameters, computation of the '' jitter'' between two muscle fibers, turns/amplitude and spectral analy sis of interferential pattern records, are some examples of programs c urrently offered in modern EMG machines. Other techniques are still re served for research purposes: scanning EMG, decomposition of nerve and muscle compound potentials, measurement of the threshold and firing r ate of motor units trace analysis using tracking models. Finally, the credit for artificial intelligence systems (knowledge based systems, f uzzy logic neuronal networks) is still not clearly stated.