ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To establish the envelope amplitude-activity and number of small segments (NSS)-activity clouds of normal adults using the interference pattern of quantitative electromyography (EMG). METHOD: Healthy adults whose ages were from 20 to 59 years old participated in this study. Using quantitative EMG of the biceps brachii, vastus medialis, and tibialis anterior muscle, the interference patterns were analyzed. The interference patterns were measured at three to five different force levels, ranging from minimum to maximum, and recorded at least 20 epochs at each muscle. RESULTS: The envelope amplitude-activity and NSS-activity ratio of the biceps brachii, vastus medialis, and tibialis anterior muscles were obtained in males and females. The establishment of normal clouds of gender related envelope amplitude-activity and NSS-activity were obtained. CONCLUSION: By using the above normal clouds of envelope amplitude-activity and NSS-activity, automatic interference pattern analysis may contribute to early diagnosis and detection of progress of myopathy and neuropathy.