Advances in Bipolar and Array-Based Surface EMG: Detection, Interpretation and Teaching
A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosensors".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2022) | Viewed by 20180
Special Issue Editors
Interests: surface EMG signals and their detection and processing techniques
Interests: instrumental assessment and teaching of human motion in the rehabilitation pathways of neurological patients
Interests: movement biomechanics and neuromuscular co-ordination with a focus on the development, application and teaching of technical systems
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
There are over 8000 publications on surface EMG (sEMG), but its clinical applications are still very limited (a few dozen publications, mostly from research labs) because the technique is considered difficult to apply, not user-friendly, and signals are often noisy and contain artifacts and interferences. In addition, potential clinical users are not well trained in the field and often unable to understand and properly use the physiological information contained in the signal because of educational and technical barriers.
It is unquestionable that future applications will be focused on wireless high-density sEMG (HDsEMG) based on electrode grids which are easy to wear and detecting reliable and stable signals from large areas. Efforts should be made to make this technology understandable to rehabilitation operators and easy to use in clinical environments as well in telemedicine applications.
This Special Issue is designed to address problems related to the nature and geometry of electrodes and of the electrode–skin interface as a source of noise, as well as of artifacts and of power line interference. These disturbances should be reduced at the source or be attenuated by subsequent signal processing, transparent to (but understood by) the user. The quality of sEMG signals is largely due to electrode geometry and location, the electrode–skin interface, and training and awareness of the user regarding sEMG detection problems. This Special Issue deals with (a) best practices for proper sEMG detection and (b) education/training of clinical users, teaching proper detection and signal quality control to clinical users. It includes but is not strictly limited to the following main topics which are addressed from the point of view of the user:
- sEMG electrode types and sensors for signal detection (bipolar and electrode arrays);
- High-density surface EMG (HDsEMG) detection systems and spatial filters;
- The nature of the electrode–skin interface or coupling;
- Reducing noise, artifact, and power line interference at the electrode level by skin treatment;
- Understanding techniques for the reduction of noise, artifacts, and power line interference by basic signal processing;
- Automatic detection of signal quality and related warnings;
- Raw signals and their envelopes;
- Detection of anatomical/physiological parameters of motor units (MU) and MU action potentials, including diffusion and crosstalk;
- Physical models and methods for teaching these concepts to clinicians as well as the limitations of the techniques mentioned above.
Contributions focused on how to teach these concepts through models and relatively simple examples are welcome. Original research articles on these issues, tutorials, and reviews are welcome.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Prof. Dr. Roberto Merletti
Dr. Isabella Campanini
Prof. Dr. Catherine Disselhorst-Klug
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- surface EMG detection
- high-density sEMG systems
- spatial filters
- sEMG electrodes
- electrode–skin impedance
- electrode–skin noise
- artifact detection/removal
- power line interference reduction
- sEMG signal quality
- educational and teaching tools
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