Motor Control Recovery After a Severe Brain Injury: Applications of Quantitative Surface Electromyography
In this case study, surface electromyography (SEMG) was used to help a severely brain-damaged adolescent regain head control. In addition to relearning a lost motor skill, the patient, because of the extensiveness of the injury, had to overcome deficits in memory, visual processing, and cognitive tone. The process of quantitative SEMG was used to teach the patient to use a targeted series of muscles, which, in 14 weeks, brought her to the point that for many activities a headrest was no longer needed.
Biofeedback showing four surface electromyography signals, at the left and right sternocleidomastoid and left and right cerebral paraspinals at the fourth cervical (C4) level.
(A–C) Jane during biofeedback training, with video activated by achieving a patterned response measured at four muscle sites.
The diamond points show the percentage of session time, in a single session, during which all four muscles were in the criterion range. The square points show the longest consecutive time, during a single session, that all four muscles were in the criterion range.
Contributor Notes