Use of surface electromyography in phonation studies: an integrative review

Abstract

SummaryIntroduction: Surface electromyography has been used to assess the extrinsic laryngeal muscles during chewing and swallowing, but there have been few studies assessing these muscles during phonation. Objective: To investigate the current state of knowledge regarding the use of surface electromyography for evaluation of the electrical activity of the extrinsic muscles of the larynx during phonation by means of an integrative review. Method: We searched for articles and other papers in the PubMed, Medline/Bireme, and Scielo databases that were published between 1980 and 2012, by using the following descriptors: surface electromyography and voice, surface electromyography and phonation, and surface electromyography and dysphonia. The articles were selectedon the basis ofinclusion and exclusion criteria. Data Synthesis: This was carried out with a cross critical matrix. We selected 27 papers,i.e., 24 articles and 3 theses. The studies differed methodologically with regards to sample size and investigation techniques, making it difficult to compare them, but showed differences in electrical activity between the studied groups (dysphonicsubjects, non-dysphonicsubjects, singers, and others). Conclusion: Electromyography has clinical applicability when technical precautions with respect to application and analysis are obeyed. However, it is necessary to adopt a universal system of assessment tasks and related measurement techniques to allow comparisons between studies.

Clinical and Electromyographic Assessment of Swallowing in Individuals with Functional Dysphonia Associated with Dysphagia Due to Muscle Tension or Atypical Swallowing

“…The selection of muscles for the analysis was based on the work of Vaiman et al [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. The decision of trapezius inclusion was inspired by observations of significantly increased trapezius muscle tension in patients with muscle tension dysphonia [ 10 ]. The examination was performed by a physician, a phoniatrist certified in electrodiagnostic medicine, and analysed together with a clinical neurophysiologist.…”

Simultaneous Measurement of Breathing Kinematics and Surface Electromyography of Chest Wall Muscles during Maximum Performance and Speech Tasks in Children: Methodological Considerations

“…Two analyses were performed to detect the onset and offset of muscle activity bursts associated with each condition relative to lung volume, and to determine the maximum amplitude of these muscle activity bursts in % MVC. Our technique for normalization was in line with previously established methods using muscles associated with phonation, speech, and swallowing [22,23]. To detect the onset and offset of muscle activity bursts, the standard deviations (SD) of the EMG signals were calculated for each muscle group during tidal breathing (e.g., baseline).…”

The Characterization of Normal Male and Female Voice from Surface Electromyographic Parameters

“…Surface electromyography (SEMG) records myoelectric activity (depolarization of the muscle cell membrane [ 2 ]) and contributes to the diagnosis of motor disorders [ 3 ] and, specifically, that of the most superficial muscles, identifying their contribution (and the importance of the same) in a given task [ 4 ]. This technique is based on the detection of the action potential of muscle fibers and motor units in the surrounding tissues or the skin during muscle activity [ 5 ].…”

“…Research related to the study of the voice together with SEMG is scarce and with a great dispersion in the aspects analyzed, from the sample size to the vocal tasks that have been developed or the muscles studied [ 3 ].…”