Changes in macro electromyography over time in patients with a history of polio: a comparison of 2 muscles.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether changes over time are different in a weight-bearing leg muscle than in a less heavily used arm muscle.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University hospital laboratory.


METHODS
Twenty-three patients with a history of poliomyelitis.


METHODS
Two investigations were performed 5 years apart, using macro electromyography and the patients' own assessments of symptoms in the tibial anterior and the biceps brachii muscles. Test-retest of macro electromyography was performed in controls and in patients with old polio.


METHODS
Macro motor unit potential (MUP) and symptoms in the tibial anterior and biceps brachii over time.


RESULTS
The macro MUP amplitude increased by 24% (P<.05) in the tibial anterior but was unchanged in the biceps brachii muscle.


CONCLUSIONS
An increase in the macro MUP amplitude of the tibial anterior muscle, but not of the biceps brachii, most likely indicates a more pronounced ongoing denervation-reinnervation process over time in the tibial anterior. This difference could be activity dependent, but other factors cannot be excluded.
Sandberg
Arne
A
Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Uppsala University Hospital, ing 85, 3 tr., S-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. arne.sandburg@akademiska.se
Stålberg
Erik
E
D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies