title: Wireless on-line electromyography in recording neck muscle function: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The surface electromyography (SEMG) records muscle activity without causing pain and therefore it can be used in the on-line kinetic evaluation of rehabilitation methods. The cables are a problem in the clinical work. The aim of this pilot study was to introduce a wireless on-line SEMG method in the measurements of neck muscle activity and preliminarily evaluate its usability in dynamic exercises in a healthy and a neck pain subject.
  
  
  METHODS
  The bilateral wireless on-line SEMG measurements were performed at the level C4-C5 of the cervical spine. The subjects (one healthy 32-year-old female and one neck pain patient, 35-year-old female) were performing slow cervical flexions with eyes open. The angle of the flexion was measured with inclinometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In healthy subjects, the SEMG curve demonstrated clear flexion-relaxation rhythm whereas in the patient the rhythm was blurred. The SEMG signal quality was, however, good in both cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Wireless on-line SEMG method seems promising in daily clinical work for the measurements of neck muscle activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, 70200 Kuopio, Finland. mkairaks@hytti.uku.fi
authors.forename: Minna K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Airaksinen
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kankaanpää
authors.forename: Olli
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Aranko
authors.forename: Ville
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Leinonen
authors.forename: Jari P A
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Arokoski
authors.forename: Olavi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Airaksinen