The utility of interference pattern analysis

• Published in: Muscle & nerve Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 18 - 36
• Main Author: Fuglsang-Frederiksen, Anders
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.01.2000; Wiley
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Electrodiagnosis. Electric activity recording; electromyography; Electromyography - statistics & numerical data; fatigue; Humans; interference pattern analysis; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; Muscle Fatigue - physiology; muscle force; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiopathology; Nervous system; Neuromuscular Diseases - physiopathology; neuromuscular disorders; Human; Nervous system diseases; Neuromuscular diseases; Electrical activity; Force; Interference; Muscle contraction; Electrodiagnosis; Striated muscle disease; Analysis method; Electromyography; Measurement method; Pattern analysis; Power spectrum
• ISSN: 0148-639X; 1097-4598
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-4598(200001)23:1<18::AID-MUS4>3.0.CO;2-B

The interference pattern of the electrical activity of muscle can be quantified by amplitude measurements, different spike counting methods, and power spectrum analyses. Interference pattern analysis (IPA) methods are used to describe the degree of activation of different muscles, muscle fatigue, occupational work, muscles in chronic pain syndromes, disused muscle, and dystonic muscle treated with botulinum toxin. In patients with neuromuscular disorders, the turns/amplitude analysis is useful for diagnosis. High diagnostic yields can be obtained without force measurements, for example, by using the amplitude as an indicator of force (the peak ratio method) or plotting the amplitude against the turns (cloud analysis). The diagnostic possibilities of the power spectrum analysis and the motor unit firing rate obtained by decomposition techniques are still unclear. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 23: 18–36, 2000