title: Electromyographic power spectrum analysis of the paraspinal muscles. Long-term reliability.
abstract: As a prerequisite to the use of electromyographic power spectral analysis of the paraspinal muscles as a low-back pain treatment outcome measure, the long-term reliability of the technique was assessed. The myoelectric signals of the multifidus and iliocostalis lumborum muscles of healthy sedentary women were analyzed with regard to spectral parameters during a constant-force contraction, before and after a 3-month period. Results indicated that for both muscles, estimates of initial median frequency and amplitude had high test/retest reliability, but that the recovery and left-right difference parameters were not stable. Using a confidence interval method, test/retest variation for the fatigue parameter was found to be within the range of variability of potentially underlying metabolic processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Biedermann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome