Different perspectives in understanding muscle functions in Parkinson’s disease through surface electromyography: Exploring multiple activation patterns

Gait disorders are one of the cardinal features of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and might be affected by a modified pattern of motor unit activation. This work explores how PD affects the lower limb muscle control and how muscle activity contributes to gait impairment. Using clinical gait analysis data,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of electromyography and kinesiology 2022-06, Vol.64, p.102658-102658, Article 102658
Main Authors: Romanato, M., Piatkowska, W., Spolaor, F., To, D.-K., Volpe, D., Sawacha, Z.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activation pattern
Electromyography
Gait
Gait analysis
Gait Disorders, Neurologic
Humans
Motor control
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Parkinson Disease
Parkinson’s disease
Surface electromyography
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Summary:Gait disorders are one of the cardinal features of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and might be affected by a modified pattern of motor unit activation. This work explores how PD affects the lower limb muscle control and how muscle activity contributes to gait impairment. Using clinical gait analysis data, the onset and the offset of the surface electromyographic (sEMG) signal of four lower limb muscles were determined in 18 people with PD and compared with 10 heathy controls. Different motor patterns were identified in both the populations through a statistical detector algorithm and described in terms of linear envelope, local maxima activation magnitude and occurrence, co-contractions, and bursts duration. Statistical analysis was performed using statistical parametric mapping for the sEMG envelope and linear mixed effects models for the sEMG parameters. An equivalent number of sEMG patterns was detected in PD with respect to controls. Significant differences were highlighted between the two cohorts within the same activation modality. Plantarflexors muscles activation was delayed on time and had different durations and activations peaks, while Biceps Femoris revealed a higher local maximum. These results suggested that functional tibiotarsus joint reeducation coupled with postural rehabilitation might be beneficial for people with PD.
ISSN:1050-6411
1873-5711
DOI:10.1016/j.jelekin.2022.102658