Wala' Mahmoud , Morten Haugland , Ander Ramos-Murguialday , Hans Hultborn , Ulf Ziemann
{"title":"Measuring resistance to externally induced movement of the wrist joint in chronic stroke patients using an objective hand-held dynamometer","authors":"Wala' Mahmoud , Morten Haugland , Ander Ramos-Murguialday , Hans Hultborn , Ulf Ziemann","doi":"10.1016/j.cnp.2023.05.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cnp.2023.05.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>We evaluated the resistance to externally induced wrist extension in chronic stroke patients. We aimed to objectively measure and distinguish passive (muscle and soft tissue stiffness) and active (spasticity and spastic dystonia) components of the resistance.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>We used a hand-held dynamometer, which measures torque, joint movement and electromyography (EMG) simultaneously, to assess the resistance to externally induced wrist extension. Slow and fast stretches were applied to the affected and unaffected wrists in 57 chronic stroke patients (57 ± 11 years). We extracted from the data parameters that represent passive and muscle activity components and assessed the validity, test–retest reliability and the clinical utility of the measurement.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The analysis showed (1) a significant difference in the passive and muscle activity components between the affected and unaffected sides; (2) a significant correlation between passive and muscle activity components and the modified Ashworth scale (MAS); (3) a significant difference between the subgroups of patients stratified by the MAS; (4) an excellent intra-rater reliability on each of the passive and muscle activity components with intra-class coefficients between 0.92 and 0.99; (5) and small measurement error.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Using a hand-held dynamometer, we were able to objectively measure the resistance to muscle stretch in the wrist joint in chronic stroke patients and discriminate muscle overactivity components from muscle and soft tissue stiffness. We demonstrated validity, test–retest reliability and the clinical utility of the measurement.</p></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><p>Quantification of the different components of resistance to externally induced movement enables the objective evaluation of neurorehabilitation effects in chronic stroke patients.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45697,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Neurophysiology Practice","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 97-110"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10238875/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9570238","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Nerve enlargement differs among chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy subtypes and multifocal motor neuropathy","authors":"Masaaki Yoshikawa , Kenji Sekiguchi , Hirotomo Suehiro , Shunsuke Watanabe , Yoshikatsu Noda , Hideo Hara , Riki Matsumoto","doi":"10.1016/j.cnp.2023.10.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnp.2023.10.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>We aimed to evaluate differences in ultrasonographic nerve enlargement sites among typical chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), distal CIDP, multifocal CIDP and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) in a Japanese population.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>We retrospectively reviewed medical records and selected 39 patients (14 with typical CIDP, 7 with multifocal CIDP, 4 with distal CIDP, and 14 with MMN) who underwent ultrasonography. Median and ulnar nerve cross-sectional areas (CSAs) were measured at the wrist, forearm, elbow, and upper arm. CSA ratios for each nerve were calculated as: wrist-to-forearm index (WFI) = wrist CSA/forearm CSA; elbow-to-upper arm index (EUI) = elbow CSA/upper arm CSA; and intranerve CSA variability (INCV) = maximal CSA/minimal CSA.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Significant differences were observed among typical CIDP, multifocal CIDP, distal CIDP, and MMN in CSA at the forearm and upper arm in the median nerves (p < 0.05). Patients with multifocal CIDP had lower WFI and EUI and higher INCV than the other groups (p < 0.05).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Regardless of the untreated period, compared with other CIDP subtypes and MMN, multifocal CIDP showed a focal and marked nerve enlargement in the Japanese population.</p></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><p>Differences in nerve enlargement site may be an underlying feature of multifocal CIDP.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45697,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Neurophysiology Practice","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 228-234"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2467981X23000306/pdfft?md5=89e10b6a7de27237c3961da380557708&pid=1-s2.0-S2467981X23000306-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138557369","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Motor unit properties do not correlate between MUNIX and needle EMG in remote polio in the biceps brachii muscle","authors":"A. Sandberg","doi":"10.1016/j.cnp.2022.12.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cnp.2022.12.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>To compare the utility of MUNIX (motor unit number index) with needle EMG in characterizing motor unit (MU) properties in the biceps brachii (BB) muscle in subjects with remote polio.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Thirty subjects suffering from remote polio were investigated with MUNIX and needle EMG, all with Macro EMG and 16 of these subjects with concentric needle EMG.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Both MUNIX and the needle EMG methods showed abnormal results. Fiber density (FD) was the most sensitive parameter for showing signs of reinnervation. At a group level, the methods showed neurogenic findings, but there was no correlation between the results of the MUNIX and needle EMG investigations.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Both MUNIX and needle EMG are valuable methods for measuring neurogenic involvement in the BB muscle. However, there was a lack of correlation between the MUNIX and needle EMG findings. The cause for this missing correlation may be multifactorial as there are several differences between the methods.</p></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><p>The reason for the lack of correlation between the MUNIX and needle EMG results is discussed. By combining the needle and surface recorded methods one can obtain more information on the denervation and reinnervation process compared to using just one of the methods alone.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45697,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Neurophysiology Practice","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 24-31"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9826944/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10525198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ravjot S. Rehsi , Karishma R. Ramdeo , Stevie D. Foglia , Claudia V. Turco , Faith C. Adams , Stephen L. Toepp , Aimee J. Nelson
{"title":"Investigating the intra-session reliability of short and long latency afferent inhibition","authors":"Ravjot S. Rehsi , Karishma R. Ramdeo , Stevie D. Foglia , Claudia V. Turco , Faith C. Adams , Stephen L. Toepp , Aimee J. Nelson","doi":"10.1016/j.cnp.2022.12.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cnp.2022.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>To establish the intrasession relative and absolute reliability of Short (SAI) and Long-Latency Afferent Inhibition (LAI). These findings will allow us to guide future explorations of changes to these measures.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>31 healthy individuals (21.06 ± 2.85 years) had SAI and LAI obtained thrice at 30-minute intervals in one session. To identify the minimum number of trials required to reliably elicit SAI and LAI, relative reliability was assessed at running intervals of 5 trials.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>SAI had moderate–high, and LAI had high-excellent relative reliability. Both SAI and LAI had high amounts of measurement error. LAI had high relative reliability when only 5 frames of data were included, whereas SAI required ∼20–30 frames of data for the same. For both SAI and LAI, individual smallest detectable change was large but was reduced at the group level.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>SAI and LAI can be used for both diagnostic purposes and to assess group level change but have limited utility in assessing within-individual changes.</p></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><p>These results can be used to inform future work regarding the utility of SAI and LAI, particularly in terms of their ability to identify particularly high or low values of afferent inhibition.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45697,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Neurophysiology Practice","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 16-23"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/cd/c2/main.PMC9826929.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9088719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michael Günther , Leonie Schuster , Christian Boßelmann , Holger Lerche , Ulf Ziemann , Katharina Feil , Justus Marquetand
{"title":"Sponge EEG is equivalent regarding signal quality, but faster than routine EEG","authors":"Michael Günther , Leonie Schuster , Christian Boßelmann , Holger Lerche , Ulf Ziemann , Katharina Feil , Justus Marquetand","doi":"10.1016/j.cnp.2023.03.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cnp.2023.03.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>Emergency diagnostics, such as acquisition of an electroencephalogram (EEG), are of great diagnostic importance, but there is often a lack of experienced personnel. Wet active electrode sponge-based electroencephalogram (sp-EEG) systems can be applied rapidly and by inexperienced personnel. This makes them an attractive alternative to routine EEG (r-EEG) systems in these settings. Here, we examined the feasibility and signal quality of sp-EEG compared to r-EEG.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>In this case-control, single-blind, non-randomized study, EEG recordings using a sp- and a r-EEG system were performed in 18 individuals with a variety of epileptiform discharges and 11 healthy control subjects. The time was stopped until all electrodes in both systems displayed adequate skin-electrode impedances. The resulting 58 EEGs were visually inspected by 7 experienced, blinded neurologists. Raters were asked to score physiological and pathological graphoelements, and to distinguish between the different systems by visual inspection of the EEGs.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Time to signal acquisition for sp-EEG was significantly faster (4.8 min (SD 2.01) vs. r-EEG 13.3 min (SD 2.72), p < 0.001). All physiological and pathological graphoelements of all 58 EEGs could be identified. Raters were unable to distinguish between sp-EEG or r-EEG based on visual inspection of the EEGs alone.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Sp-EEG represents a feasible alternative to r-EEG in emergency diagnostics or resource-limited settings.</p></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><p>Given shortage of trained personnel or resources, the easy implementation and comparable quality of a novel sp-EEG system may increase general availability of EEG and thus improve patient care.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45697,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Neurophysiology Practice","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 58-64"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10074306/pdf/main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9326053","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"High performance clean versus artifact dry electrode EEG data classification using Convolutional Neural Network transfer learning","authors":"M.N. van Stigt , E.A. Groenendijk , H.A. Marquering , J.M. Coutinho , W.V. Potters","doi":"10.1016/j.cnp.2023.04.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cnp.2023.04.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are promising for artifact detection in electroencephalography (EEG) data, but require large amounts of data. Despite increasing use of dry electrodes for EEG data acquisition, dry electrode EEG datasets are sparse. We aim to develop an algorithm for <em>clean</em> versus <em>artifact</em> dry electrode EEG data classification using transfer learning.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Dry electrode EEG data were acquired in 13 subjects while physiological and technical artifacts were induced. Data were per 2-second segment labeled as <em>clean</em> or <em>artifact</em> and split in an 80% train and 20% test set. With the train set, we fine-tuned a pre-trained CNN for <em>clean</em> versus <em>artifact</em> wet electrode EEG data classification using 3-fold cross validation. The three fine-tuned CNNs were combined in one final <em>clean</em> versus <em>artifact</em> classification algorithm, in which the majority vote was used for classification. We calculated accuracy, F1-score, precision, and recall of the pre-trained CNN and fine-tuned algorithm when applied to unseen test data.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The algorithm was trained on 0.40 million and tested on 0.17 million overlapping EEG segments. The pre-trained CNN had a test accuracy of 65.6%. The fine-tuned <em>clean</em> versus <em>artifact</em> classification algorithm had an improved test accuracy of 90.7%, F1-score of 90.2%, precision of 89.1% and recall of 91.2%.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Despite a relatively small dry electrode EEG dataset, transfer learning enabled development of a high performing CNN-based algorithm for <em>clean</em> versus <em>artifact</em> classification.</p></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><p>Development of CNNs for classification of dry electrode EEG data is challenging as dry electrode EEG datasets are sparse. Here, we show that transfer learning can be used to overcome this problem.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45697,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Neurophysiology Practice","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 88-91"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10196906/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9506582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Leandra A.A. Ros, Boudewijn T.H.M. Sleutjes, Diederik J.L. Stikvoort García, H. Stephan Goedee, Fay-Lynn Asselman, Leonard H. van den Berg, W. Ludo van der Pol , Renske I. Wadman
{"title":"Feasibility and tolerability of multimodal peripheral electrophysiological techniques in a cohort of patients with spinal muscular atrophy","authors":"Leandra A.A. Ros, Boudewijn T.H.M. Sleutjes, Diederik J.L. Stikvoort García, H. Stephan Goedee, Fay-Lynn Asselman, Leonard H. van den Berg, W. Ludo van der Pol , Renske I. Wadman","doi":"10.1016/j.cnp.2023.06.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cnp.2023.06.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>Electrophysiological techniques are emerging as an aid in identifying prognostic or therapeutic biomarkers in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), but electrophysiological assessments may be burdensome for patients. We, therefore, assessed feasibility and tolerability of multimodal peripheral non-invasive electrophysiological techniques in a cohort of patients with SMA.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>We conducted a single center, longitudinal cohort study investigating the feasibility and tolerability of applying multimodal electrophysiological techniques to the median nerve unilaterally. Techniques consisted of the compound muscle action potential scan, motor nerve excitability tests, repetitive nerve stimulation and sensory nerve action potential. We assessed tolerability using the numeric rating scale (NRS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain), and defined the protocol to be tolerable if the NRS score ≤ 3. The protocol was considered feasible if it could be performed according to test and quality standards.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>We included 71 patients with SMA types 1–4 (median 39 years; range 13–67) and 63 patients at follow-up. The protocol was feasible in 98% of patients and was well-tolerated in up to 90% of patients. Median NRS score was 2 (range 0–6 at baseline and range 0–4 at follow-up (p < 0.01)). None of the patients declined follow-up assessment.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Multimodal, peripheral, non-invasive, electrophysiological techniques applied to the median nerve are feasible and well-tolerated in adolescents and adults with SMA types 1–4.</p></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><p>Our study supports the use of non-invasive multimodal electrophysiological assessments in adolescents and adults with SMA types 1–4.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45697,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Neurophysiology Practice","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 123-131"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/f4/cc/main.PMC10404501.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9963099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Tibial nerve SEPs in diagnosing lumbar spinal stenosis: The utility of segmental evaluation using P15 and N21","authors":"Kiyoshi Matsukura , Keiichi Hokkoku , Taiji Mukai , Chizuko Oishi , Takamichi Kanbayashi , Toshiyuki Takahashi , Masahiro Sonoo","doi":"10.1016/j.cnp.2023.03.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cnp.2023.03.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>To establish the utility of the additional evaluation of the P15 potential generated at the greater sciatic foramen in the tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in diagnosing lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>We retrospectively reviewed tibial nerve SEP findings in patients having MRI-confirmed LSS at the cauda equina or conus/epiconus region. P15 and N21 potentials were recorded and the following findings were defined as localizing abnormalities: 1) normal P15 latency either with prolonged P15-N21 interval or with absent N21; 2) decreased ratio of the N21 amplitude to P15 amplitude. As non-localizing abnormalities, N21 and P38 latencies were also evaluated. Tibial nerve F-wave findings were also investigated.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>According to the entry criteria, 18 patients were included, 15 with cauda equina lesions and 3 with conus/epiconus lesions. Localizing abnormalities in SEPs were found in 67% of patients, achieving significantly higher sensitivity than delayed P38 latency (28%), and higher sensitivity than N21 abnormalities (39%), though this was not significant. Localizing abnormalities were observed even in 6 out of 11 patients lacking both sensory symptoms and signs. Tibial nerve F-wave was abnormal in 36% of 14 patients with F-wave examinations, whereas the localizing abnormalities in SEPs were found in 64% of the same patient population. P15 amplitude was depressed in 4 patients (22%), which may indicate the involvement of the dorsal root ganglion in LSS, although its latency was normal even for these patients.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Tibial nerve SEPs with the recording of P15 and N21 potentials achieved sufficiently high sensitivity in diagnosing LSS. They have the advantage over F-wave in that they can localize the lesion at the cauda equina or conus/epiconus level.</p></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><p>Tibial nerve SEPs are promising in evaluating LSS, especially in documenting sensory tract involvement in cases lacking sensory symptoms/signs.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45697,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Neurophysiology Practice","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 49-57"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10064344/pdf/main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9242444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}