The application of independent component analysis to the multi-channel surface electromyographic signals for separation of motor unit action potential trains: part I - measuring techniques

The purpose of this study is to examine whether or not the application of independent component analysis (ICA) is useful for separation of motor unit action potential trains (MUAPTs) from the multi-channel surface EMG (sEMG) signals. In this study, the eight-channel sEMG signals were recorded from tibialis anterior muscles during isometric dorsi-flexions at 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% maximal voluntary contraction. Recording MUAP waveforms with little time delay mounted between the channels were obtained by vertical sEMG channel arrangements to muscle fibers. The independent components estimated by FastICA were compared with the sEMG signals and the principal components calculated by principal component analysis (PCA). From our results, it was shown that FastICA could separate groups of similar MUAP waveforms of the sEMG signals separated into each independent component while PCA could not sufficiently separate the groups into the principal components. A greater reduction of interferences between different MUAP waveforms was demonstrated by the use of FastICA. Therefore, it is suggested that FastICA could provide much better discrimination of the properties of MUAPTs for sEMG signal decomposition, i.e. waveforms, discharge intervals, etc., than not only PCA but also the original sEMG signals. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.