Median and ulnar nerve conduction measurements in patients with symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy using the NC-stat system.

Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common, disabling, and costly complication of diabetes mellitus. Although there are multiple methods for detecting and monitoring DPN, nerve conduction studies (NCS) are generally considered to be the most sensitive and reproducible. However, utilization of NCS in patients with diabetes is low, presumably because of limited access and economic issues.

Detection of lumbosacral nerve root compression with a novel composite nerve conduction measurement.

Study Design: Multivariate logistic regression techniques were used to develop a composite nerve conduction measurement that detects lumbosacral (L5, S1, or both) nerve root compression.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of a composite nerve conduction measurement for detection of lumbosacral nerve root compression.

Summary Of Background Data: Nerve root involvement is characterized by clinical abnormalities and confirmed by radiologic and electrodiagnostic studies.

Classification of back muscle impairment based on the surface electromyographic signal.

A surface electromyographic (EMG) procedure for classifying muscle impairments in persons with low back pain (LBP) is described. The procedure was studied using a device, the Back Analysis System (BAS), to acquire and process EMG signals from six bilateral muscle sites during sustained isometric contractions designed to progressively fatigue the lower back. Back muscle impairment was determined on the basis of the different ways in which the EMG median frequency parameters change as a function of contraction duration and muscle site.

The effects of spaceflight on open-loop and closed-loop postural control mechanisms: human neurovestibular studies on SLS-2.

Stabilogram-diffusion analysis was used to examine how prolonged periods in microgravity affect the open-loop and closed-loop postural control mechanisms. It was hypothesized that following spaceflight: (1) the effective stochastic activity of the open-loop postural control schemes in astronauts is increased; (2) the effective stochastic activity and uncorrelated behavior, respectively, of the closed-loop postural control mechanisms in astronauts are increased; and (3) astronauts utilized open-loop postural controls schemes for shorter time intervals and smaller displacements. Four crew members and two alternates from the 14-day Spacelab Life Sciences 2 Mission were included in the study.

Spectral electromyographic assessment of back muscles in patients with low back pain undergoing rehabilitation.

Study Design: A surface electromyographic procedure for evaluating back muscle impairment was studied in patients undergoing rehabilitation for low back pain.

Objectives: The results were analyzed to determine whether the electromyographic procedure was able to: 1) distinguish muscle impairment between patients with low back pain and normal subjects, and 2) monitor changes in muscle function after low back pain rehabilitation.

Methods: Patients with chronic low back pain (n = 85) were tested to measure the median frequency of the electromyographic signals from six lumbar electrode sites during sustained trunk extensions.