Development of a Matlab-Based Graphical User Interface for Analysis of High-Density Surface Electromyography Signals

Abstract

The high-density electromyography (HD-sEMG) is a non-invasive technique to measure muscular activity using grids of surface electrodes, being used to evaluate neuromuscular disorders. Therefore, the present work is aimed to develop a MATLAB-based graphical user interface (GUI) for HD-sEMG signal analysis. As input, the user uploads the HD-sEMG and force signals, acquired during a sustained contraction. The parameters calculated are: (a) amplitude estimators: average rectified value (ARV) and root mean square (RMS); (b) frequency estimators: mean frequency (MNF) and median frequency (MDF); (c) topographic maps estimators: coefficient of variation (CoV) and modified entropy (ME). Both the HD-sEMG, force, and the parameters are calculated along time intervals and presented in graphs. The topographic map that represents the muscular electrical activities under the electrode’s array location is also demonstrated within the GUI. To assess the reliability of the developed interface, the RMS and MNF parameters were used to compare the values obtained by the developed interface and the commercial interface OT BioLab+. A perfect degree of reliability (ICC = 1) was found for the RMS and MNF variables.