EMG Biofeedback: Theory and Applications

Lecture 11 - Peter Pidcoe

Biofeedback 

______ provides information about ourselves typically through the use of external instruments // involves monitoring a physiological process so that that process can be understood, controlled, or modified  by the subject 

treatment, training

Biofeedback can be thought of as a ______ to reduce pain/increase balance and a ______ to learn to recognize physiologic processes and alter them

EMG

Sources of Biofeedback signal include ______, EEG, EKG, BP, temp, force, and pressure

• visual (temporal plots, bar graphs)

• audio (volume and pitch)

• vibration (amplitude, frequency)

• electrical (amplitude and frequency)

There are 4 types of Biofeedback: (4)

found to be background with monkeys…could be the same for humans, we dont know

Is biofeedback foreground or background processing?

muscle activity 

EMG biofeedback can be used to monitor ________ by looking at the electrical signal produced during a voluntary contraction 

motor unit action potential

EMG signal consists of the summation of ______ “trains” from all active MUs within the recording volume which is dependent on several variable including electrode type

visual, audible 

Integrated signal biofeedback can be used to drive ______ or ______ feedback where the larger the signal, the more lights and/or sound provided to the subject 

tension-type HAs, cancer

EMG is helpful for pain management in ______, fibromyalgia, and _____pain 

False - they are all innervated by Femoral N.

T/F: you can selectively train the VM/VL with EMG

dysfunctional voiding

EMG can help with incontinence training and _________

asthma, traps 

EMG can help with treatment of ______ as decreased pulmonary impedance was associated with increased relaxation of _____

gati training, acute

EMG can help with ______ after strokes to facilitate or inhibit abnormal mm tone via visual or auditory feedback 

• results DO NOT support the use of EMG biofeedback to improve this in the ______ after stroke

optimum

With regard to cervical traction, EMG biofeedback decreased time to raise traction force from start to ______

stationary and portable 

What are two types of EMG systems

surface, fine wire, needles; surface electrodes

What are the three types of EMG electrodes and which one is most used?

True 

T/F: electrodes record the difference in the electrical pattern from two detection sites which allows common signals to be removed 

gait training

Biofeedback has been shown to benefit hemiplegic CP kids in _______ to facilitate symmetric pattern via insole pressure switch and auditory feedback 

stance

Biofeedback has been shown to provide _______ symmetry after strokes with improvements in ADL and gross motor function

auditory feedback

For regulation of perturbed stance in stroke pts, _______ resulted in greater effect on acute stroke group

Alpha waves 

EEG is transformed into music to create “brain music” by converting _____ to beach waves or white noise to help people sleep better 

true

T/F: EEG might be able to help epilepsy pt population

arrhythmias

EKG might be able to help control cardiac ______ but no conclusive evidence yet

heart rate

EKG is a form of biofeedback to look at the control of _________

Blood Pressure

_______ biofeedback might be helpful for patients with hypertension to be used for self-lowering home training 

biofeedback related to conditions where sensory loss has occurred

What is functional sensory substitution

neuropathies

Biofeedback is used to give functional sensory substitution for those with peripheral _______, to provide patients with knowledge of gait pattern deviations

LE prosthetics

Biofeedback is used to give functional sensory substitution for those with _______, to provide the patient with “increased” sensation of ground contact

UE prosthetics

Biofeedback is used to give functional sensory substitution for those with ______, to provide patient with sense of touch (pressure & hot/cold) 

Noise 

______ is defined as unwanted signal contaminating the EMG data and can come from the following sources: 

• narrow-band 

• biological 

• cross-talk

• artifacts 

True

T/F: EMGs can be used for control in electrical prostheses

spectral analysis

Using ______ changes in EMG that relate to muscle fatigue may soon be available in a feedback format in Sports Medicine/Ergonomics/Research areas 

Functional Electrical

__________ Stimulation can be used for UE neuroprosthesis, LE neuroprosthesis, exercise, and mobility

Neuroprosthesis

_______ can assist with moving robotic devices through inputs from EMG, FSR, switches, or EEG

palmar, pinch

Grasping Neuroprostheses can perform _____ grasp and ______ grasp

neuroprosthesis, robotics

Quadriplegic patients require a combo of _______ and _____ for additional control

Conventional

_______ neuroprosthetics include myoelectric hands and elbows

Parastep 

In the past, FES was used in the ______ concept including a walker, stimulator, battery pack, and electrodes 

Parastep Stimulator 

________ generates sequences of electrical pulses that are passed to target peripheral nerves through surface applied skin electrodes that are placed over selected mms and sensory nerves of the LEs

• fatigue

• control (switches vs. mms)

• usability and compliance (home vs. clinic)

What are some problems with FES?

• mms bulk preservation 

• improved mm appearance 

• improved HR, circulation and kidney fxn 

• prevention of contracture, bone demineralization and pressure sores 

• reduce spasticity 

• preservation of moral 

What are some benefits of FES?

40-50, step over

The C-leg can handle _____ hours of power with a microprocessor controlled knee which allows _____ gait pattern with two modes of normal walking and locked knee for prolonged standing