High-density surface electromyography in children
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Multi-electrode high-density surface electromyography for detection of myopathy in children
IRAS ID
319384
Contact name
Eduardo Martinez-Valdes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Movement of our joints is caused by contraction of muscles. Contraction of muscles is triggered by electrical pulses, which are generated by the brain and travel down nerves to reach the muscles. Myopathies affect how muscles process these electrical pulses, which can cause symptoms such as weakness and slower movement. Myopathies can present in infancy and early childhood with symptoms such as weakness, delayed development or low muscle tone, and can be challenging to diagnose at this age.
Electromyography is a test that records the electrical activity received by the muscle and helps to identify the presence of myopathies. This test involves the insertion of a needle into the muscle, which may not be well tolerated in children. We can also miss some details of the disease since the needle is small and does not allow us to observe what is happening in larger areas of the muscle.
Recent advances in technology have allowed recording the electrical activity of the muscle in multiple areas, with groups of sensors placed on the surface of the skin. This technique is called high-density surface electromyography, and contrary to needle electromyography recordings, does not require insertion of a needle into the muscle. These recordings can also provide more details about how the muscle is compromised during myopathies, which may improve our ability to make an early and confident diagnosis of myopathy. Nevertheless, this technique has never been compared against needle electromyography and therefore, its utility to diagnose myopathies is still uncertain.
This study will aim to test the feasibility of applying high-density surface electromyography recordings, in order to understand whether these new recordings can potentially replace needle electromyography in children.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/EM/0013
Date of REC Opinion
14 Feb 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion