Critical Appraisal of Surface Electromyography (sEMG) as a Taught Subject and Clinical Tool in Medicine and Kinesiology

Abstract

The characteristics and state of knowledge of bioelectric signals such as ECG, EEG, and EMG are initially discussed. This serves as the basis for exploration of the degree of scholastic coverage and understanding of the level of clinical acceptance of respective bioelectric signal subtypes during the last 60 or so years. The review further proceeds to discuss surface EMG (sEMG). The status of the field in terms of teaching and academic training related to sEMG is examined, and its clinical acceptance in several areas of medicine and kinesiology, including neurology, psychology, psychiatry, physiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, biomechanics and motor control, and gnathology, is evaluated. A realistic overview of the clinical utility of the measurement of sEMG signals and their interpretation and usage, as well as of perspectives on its development, are then provided. The main focus is on the state of the field in Croatia. EMG signals are viewed as “windows” into the function of the neuro-muscular system, a complex and hierarchically organized system that controls human body posture and gross body movement. New technical and technological means to enable the detection and measurement of these signals will contribute to increased clinical acceptance, provided current scientific, educational, and financial obstacles can be removed.