Biofeedback and Electromyography

Question 1

What is electromyography?

Answer 1

the science of evaluating motor units through the use of intramuscular needle electrodes or surface electrodes and measuring the action potential from muscle fibers during voluntary movement and potentially spontaneous action potentials at rest

Question 2

What electrical pattern should muscles at rest exhibit?

Answer 2

electrical silence

Question 3

What do spontaneous potentials during rest indicate during an EMG?

Answer 3

an abnormal finding that may suggest nerve or muscle damage

Question 4

What test is typically performed alongside EMGs?

Answer 4

nerve conduction velocity tests

Question 5

What is a fibrillation potential indicative of in an EMG?

Answer 5

lower motor neuron disease

Question 6

What is a positive sharp wave indicative of in an EMG?

Answer 6

denervated muscle disorders at rest, primary muscle disease such as muscular dystrophy

Question 7

What are fasciculations indicative of in an EMG?

Answer 7

irritation/degeneration of anterior horn cell, nerve root compression or muscle spasms

Question 8

What are repetitive discharges indicative of in an EMG?

Answer 8

myopathies, lesion of anterior horn cells and peripheral nerves

Question 9

What is an abnormal voluntary muscle contraction EMG finding?

Answer 9

polyphasic potentials which could indicate myopathies, muscle or peripheral nerve involvement

Question 10

What muscle would a needle be inserted into to test the C5-6 nerves?

Answer 10

Lateral Deltoid or biceps brachii

Question 11

What muscle would a needle be inserted into to test the C6-7 nerves?

C7-8 Nerves?

C8-T1?

Answer 11

Triceps or flexor carpi radialis

Extensor indicis proprius

abductor pollicis brevis or first dorsal interossei

Question 12

What muscle would a needle be inserted into to test the L2-L4 nerves?

L4-L5?

L4-S1?

L5-S1?

Answer 12

Vastus medialis

tibalias anterior

Tensor fasciae latae

Peroneus Longus

Question 13

What muscle would a needle be inserted into to test the L5-S2 nerves?

S1-S2?

Answer 13

Gluteus Maximus or Hamstrings

Gastrocnemius

Question 14

What is biofeedback?

What does it measure?

Answer 14

the use of instrumentation to bring specific events to conscious awareness

Measures the electrical activity associated with muscle contractions

Question 15

What are the therapeutic effects of Biofeedback?

Answer 15

• decreased accessory muscle use
• decreased muscle spasm
• decreased pain
• improved muscle strength
• muscle relaxation
• neuromuscular control

Question 16

What are the indications for biofeedback?

Answer 16

• bowel incontinence
• cerebral palsy
• hemiplegia
• impaired motor control
• muscle spasm
• muscle weakness
• pain
• spinal cord injury
• urinary incontinence

Question 17

What are the contraindications for biofeedback?

Answer 17

• conditions where muscle contraction is detrimental

- skin irritation at the electrode site