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Atypical fibrillation and fasciculation potentials: An exercise in waveform identification and analysis
Author(s) -
Barkhaus Paul E.,
Nandedkar Sanjeev D.
Publication year - 2021
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/mus.27199
Subject(s) - fasciculation , waveform , electromyography , identification (biology) , computer science , clinical practice , signal (programming language) , physical medicine and rehabilitation , speech recognition , medicine , psychology , neuroscience , telecommunications , physical therapy , radar , botany , biology , programming language
Abstract No consensus criteria exist for recording and analyzing waveforms in clinical electromyography (EMG). There have been significant technical improvements in recent decades that are under‐used in both routine practice and research. In current practice, disciplined techniques in acquisition and analysis of signals are required to appropriately define them. As an example, we describe such an exercise in acquisition and analysis. During a routine study, atypical spontaneous activity was encountered. High‐quality digital recordings were stored for off‐line analysis. These revealed waveforms that could be isolated and quantitatively defined using basic instrumentation available on most modern EMG systems: “slow” firing fibrillation potentials and a repeating fasciculation potential. Subjective analysis alone could not have identified them. To improve accuracy in identification and understanding of these waveforms, we propose criteria for data collection and signal analysis. This is critical for quality in routine practice, education, and proper reporting of electrophysiological signals.