Surface Electromyography Helps Track Fibromyalgia

NEW YORK, May 7, 2009 — Surface electromyography (SEMG) analysis demonstrates muscle modifications in patients with fibromyalgia and the technique could be of help in managing the disease, Italian researchers reported in an April 15 paper in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.

"SEMG is a noninvasive technique and needle free—unlike classic EMG—which evaluates the metabolic change of groups of muscular fibers," lead investigator Dr Laura Bazzichi told Reuters Health.

"In our research SEMG analysis, performed on the tibialis anterior and the distal part of vastus medialis muscle," she added, alterations were seen "in a high percentage of fibromyalgic patients."

Dr Bazzichi of S. Chiara Hospital in Pisa, Italy, et al used the approach to evaluate 100 women with fibromyalgia and 50 healthy women. The participants also completed a fibromyalgia impact questionnaire.

Compared to controls, the patients showed significantly lower initial values and rate of change of median spectral frequency and conduction velocity. They also had lower fatigue index scores.

"We hypothesized, that the muscular change observed in fibromyalgic patients might be due to a modified pattern of motor unit activation," continued Dr Bazzichi.

"SEMG might be useful in assessing the modifications of muscle characteristics in fibromyalgic patients and might be an instrument to support diagnosis, to individuate target therapies, and to evaluate disease evolution and improvement during a period of time," she concluded.

Source: Reuters Health Information