Premium
Needle EMG of the human diaphragm: Power spectral analysis in normal subjects
Author(s) -
Chen Robert,
Collins Stephen J.,
Remtulla Hussein,
Parkes Anthony,
Bolton Charles F.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199603)19:3<324::aid-mus7>3.0.co;2-f
Subject(s) - diaphragmatic breathing , diaphragm (acoustics) , medicine , vital capacity , electromyography , phrenic nerve , respiratory system , cardiology , anatomy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , lung , pathology , vibration , lung function , physics , alternative medicine , quantum mechanics , diffusing capacity
Needle EMG of the diaphragm was performed in 43 diaphragms in 23 healthy volunteers. The mean ± standard deviation for the median frequency (MF) of the power spectrum was 233.3 ± 58.1 Hz. The MF increased with age and showed a negative correlation with the forced vital capacity (FVC), but there was no correlation with other anthropometric measures or the results of phrenic nerve conduction study. The higher MF in older subjects may be due to early recruitment of larger units. The negative correlation between MF and FVC is likely secondary to a lower level of contraction required for normal breathing in subjects with high FVC. The integrated EMG (iEMG) of each inspiration strongly correlated with the tidal volume and the duration of inspiration. Power spectral analysis of diaphragmatic EMG is feasible and reliable. It can be used to assess respiratory muscle fatigue and may help in the diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders affecting the diaphragm. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.