Spike shape analysis of electromyography for parkinsonian tremor evaluation

ABSTRACT Introduction : Standard electromyography (EMG) parameters have limited utility for evaluation of Parkinson disease (PD) tremor. Spike shape analysis (SSA) EMG parameters are more sensitive than standard EMG parameters for studying motor control mechanisms in healthy subjects. SSA of EMG has not been used to assess parkinsonian tremor. This study assessed the utility of SSA and standard time and frequency analysis for electromyographic evaluation of PD‐related resting tremor. Methods : We analyzed 1‐s periods of EMG recordings to detect nontremor and tremor signals in relaxed biceps brachii muscle of seven mild to moderate PD patients. Results : SSA revealed higher mean spike amplitude, duration, and slope and lower mean spike frequency in tremor signals than in nontremor signals. Standard EMG parameters (root mean square, median, and mean frequency) did not show differences between the tremor and nontremor signals. Conclusions : SSA of EMG data is a sensitive method for parkinsonian tremor evaluation. Muscle Nerve 52 : 1096–1098, 2015