Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
The electrodiagnostic studies are useful adjuncts to the clinical examination of the peripheral nervous system. Electromyography (EMG) records the physiologic status of muscle function. Needle electromyography help localize abnormalities along peripheral nerves or lower motor neurons.
OBJECTIVE:
To establish the normal electrophysiological values of the common upper and lower limbs muscles in sample of healthy adult population in Iraq using standard temperature control, and to compare with those data published in other studies.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
This is a cross sectional study conducted in Al-Kadhmiya Teaching Hospital during the period from July 2008 to December 2009. The study included 43 healthy individuals, aged 20-50 years (15 women and 28 men). Using the standardized technique, underwent electrophysiological studies for EMG studies for the commonly tested muscles.
RESULTS:
Forty-three individuals (include15 women and 28 men) participated in the study, and conventional EMG successfully done with good cooperation. EMG parameters results corresponded with those previously published in other studies.
CONCLUSION:
This study helps establish the normative electrophysiological parameters of the commonly tested muscles in the upper and lower limbs for our EMG laboratory in Iraq. The results compared favorably with existing literature data.