AUTOMATIC EMG ANALYSIS - TECHNIQUES, PROB LEMS OF REFERENCE VALUES INQUANTITATIVE EMG, AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The current state of the motor unit action potential (MUAP) analysis i s reviewed. New quantitative analysis methods, like template matching and multi-MUAP analysis are described and compared with traditional ma nual techniques. Emphasis is put also on the physiological basis, defi nition, and clinical relevance of various old and new MUAP parameters like duration, amplitude, area, thickness (area/amplitude), size index , number of phases and turns. Various problems of building up referenc e values are discussed. To increase the diagnostic sensitivity of quan titative EMG analysis the detection of individual outlyers is describe d. Traditional as well as new indications of the technique of quantita tive EMC analysis will be given.