Advances and perspectives of mechanomyography
Krueger, Eddy; Scheeren, Eduardo Mendonça; Nogueira-Neto, Guilherme Nunes ; Button, Vera Lúcia da Silveira Nantes; Nohama, Percy
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1517-3151.0541
Rev. Bras. Eng. Bioméd., vol.30, n4, p.384-401, 2014
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Abstract
Introduction: The evaluation of muscular tissue condition can be accomplished with mechanomyography (MMG),
a technique that registers intramuscular mechanical waves produced during a fi ber’s contraction and stretching
that are sensed or interfaced on the skin surface. Objective: Considering the scope of MMG measurements and
recent advances involving the technique, the goal of this paper is to discuss mechanomyography updates and
discuss its applications and potential future applications. Methods: Forty-three MMG studies were published
between the years of 1987 and 2013. Results: MMG sensors are developed with different technologies such as
condenser microphones, accelerometers, laser-based instruments, etc. Experimental protocols that are described
in scientifi c publications typically investigated the condition of the vastus lateralis muscle and used sensors built
with accelerometers, third and fourth order Butterworth fi lters, 5-100Hz frequency bandpass, signal analysis
using Root Mean Square (RMS) (temporal), Median Frequency (MDF) and Mean Power Frequency (MPF)
(spectral) features, with epochs of 1 s. Conclusion: Mechanomyographic responses obtained in isometric
contractions differ from those observed during dynamic contractions in both passive and functional electrical
stimulation evoked movements. In the near future, MMG features applied to biofeedback closed-loop systems
will help people with disabilities, such as spinal cord injury or limb amputation because they may improve
both neural and myoelectric prosthetic control. Muscular tissue assessment is a new application area enabled
by MMG; it can be useful in evaluating the muscular tonus in anesthetic blockade or in pathologies such as
myotonic dystrophy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and disorders including dysphagia, myalgia and
spastic hypertonia. New research becomes necessary to improve the effi ciency of MMG systems and increase
their application in rehabilitation, clinical and other health areas.
Keywords
Mechanomyography, Mechanomyographic, Biofeedback, Rehabilitation.