Human Breathing Classification Using Electromyography Signal with Features Based on Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients

Typical method on assessing the human breathing characteristics is based on measurements of breathing air parameters. Another possible method for human breathing assessment is through the analysis of respiratory muscles electromyography (EMG) signal. The EMG signal from different breathing task will be analyzed in order to determine the characteristics of the EMG signal pattern. Thus, feature extraction need to be done on the EMG signals. This paper  will look into the use of Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) in providing the features for EMG signal. Analysis is done using different data analysis frame sizes. EMG signal classification is done using K-Nearest Neighbour. Results shows that MFCC is a good feature extraction method for this purpose with classification accuracy exceeds more than 90% for data analysis frame size of 2000 ms, 4000 ms, 5000 ms and 10000 ms

Surface electromyographic evaluation of the neuromuscular activation of the inspiratory muscles during progressively increased inspiratory flow under inspiratory-resistive loading

This study aimed to evaluate neuromuscular activation in the scalene and sternocleidomastoid muscles using surface electromyography (EMG) during progressively increased inspiratory flow, produced by increasing the respiratory rate under inspiratory-resistive loading using a mask ventilator. Moreover, we attempted to identify the EMG inflection point (EMGIP) on the graph, at which the root mean square (RMS) of the EMG signal values of the inspiratory muscles against the inspiratory flow velocity acceleration abruptly increases, similarly to the EMG anaerobic threshold (EMGAT) reported during incremental-resistive loading in other skeletal muscles. We measured neuromuscular activation of healthy male subjects and found that the inspiratory flow velocity increased by approximately 1.6-fold. We successfully observed an increase in RMS that corresponded to inspiratory flow acceleration with ρ ≥ 0.7 (Spearman’s rank correlation) in 17 of 27 subjects who completed the experimental protocol. To identify EMGIP, we analyzed the fitting to either a straight or non-straight line related to the increasing inspiratory flow and RMS using piecewise linear spline functions. As a result, EMGIP was identified in the scalene and sternocleidomastoid muscles of 17 subjects. We believe that the identification of EMGIP in this study infers the existence of EMGAT in inspiratory muscles. Application of surface EMG, followed by identification of EMGIP, for evaluating the neuromuscular activation of respiratory muscles may be allowed to estimate the signs of the respiratory failure, including labored respiration, objectively and non-invasively accompanied using accessory muscles in clinical respiratory care

Pulmonary Recovery Positions Increase EMG Activity in Accessory Respiratory Muscles

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the United States and is predicted to be the third leading cause of death worldwide between 2020 and 2030. Smoking continues to be the primary cause of this disease, which is associated with about 80% of all COPD deaths. Signs and symptoms of COPD can be debilitating; however pulmonary recovery positions may be taught to improve breathing capabilities in impaired individuals. Literature suggests techniques for pulmonary recovery may involve supporting the upper extremities, supporting the head, and leaning forward. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of pulmonary recovery positions on EMG activation of accessory muscles of respiration. The goal was to clarify which recovery positions have the greatest activation of the accessory muscles, Eleven healthy adults over the age of eighteen were recruited for this study. Unilateral EMG surface electrodes were placed on the accessory muscles of breathing which included upper trapezius (UT), sternocleidomastoid (SCM), pectoralis major (clavicular head) (PM), serratus anterior (SA), and latissimus dorsi (LD). The subjects were randomly assigned a series of four experimental positions which included: a control position with hands at the sides (Position 1), standing with hands resting overhead (Position 2), leaning forward with hands on knees (Position 3), and sitting with forearms and hands supported by a table (Position 4). In each position, EMG activity was collected during three separate trials of maximal inspiration and maximal expiration, as well as minute ventilation (MV). Results indicated a significant increase in unilateral EMG activity while in Positions 2 and 3. Results found an increase in MV in Positions 2 and 3 though these findings were not significant. Positions 2 and 3 have the greatest possibility to recruit the accessory muscles of ventilation, therefore improving air exchange with patients who suffer from COPD

Characterization and Improvement of the Clinical Assessment of Vocal Hyperfunction

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, 2009.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 165-180).Vocal hyperfunction refers to "conditions of abuse and/or misuse of the vocal mechanism due to excessive and/or 'imbalanced' muscular forces" (Hillman, Holmberg, Perkell, Walsh, & Vaughan, 1989), characterized by excessive laryngeal and paralaryngeal tension (Aronson, 1980; M. D. Morrison, Rammage, Belisle, Pullan, & Nichol, 1983; N. Roy, Ford, & Bless, 1996). There is no widely accepted diagnostic measure of the presence and degree of vocal hyperfunction, and currently, assessment during diagnosis is often primarily based on subjective impressions given the patient's history and presentation of symptoms such as auditory-perceptual and visual or tactile discrimination of muscle tension (e.g., laryngeal palpation). Clinical care is hindered by the lack of a "gold standard" objective measure for the assessment of vocal hyperfunction. The first study in this thesis evaluated a novel experimental design for the study of vocal hyperfunction, making use of the established clinical procedure of injection laryngoplasty. This work found that the use of injection laryngoplasty as a platform for the study of some types of vocal hyperfunction is limited, but may offer a convenient opportunity to study selected associated parameters. Particular promising objective measures were investigated in the remaining four studies: kinematics of the vocal folds, root-mean-squared (RMS) measures of surface electromyography (sEMG), and spectral characteristics of sEMG. Kinematic features of vocal fold abduction and adduction were shown to discriminate between individuals with muscle tension dysphonia and controls.(cont.) RMS measures of sEMG were investigated through correlation with current clinical neck palpation techniques in voice therapy patients and via a cross-sectional study of individuals with vocal fold nodules. Correlations between RMS neck sEMG and palpation ratings were low, and although some individuals with nodules displayed RMS neck sEMG patterns that were inconsistent with those seen in controls, overall the RMS measures were unable to discriminate between disordered and control groups. Mean coherence between two neck sEMG locations in individuals with vocal nodules was significantly lower in the 15 - 35 Hz band relative to controls, possibly agreeing with past subjective accounts of "imbalanced" muscle activity.by Cara Elizabeth Stepp.Ph.D

The effect of acute and chronic inspiratory muscle loading upon rowing performance

The study of exercise physiology involves the integration of the physiology of many systems. The determination of athletic performance is an amalgamation of yet more factors drawn from not only physiology, but also psychology and biomechanics. The subject of this thesis incorporates various aspects of respiratory and exercise physiology (control of breathing, dyspnea, perceived exertion, respiratory mechanics, warm-up, hypoxemia, muscle physiology, etc.) that it would not be appropriate to discuss in a comprehensive manner. Thus, the approach that has been adopted in the introduction is to present only a distillation of the most relevant and contemporary research in these areas, in order to provide the scientific background for the research chapters that follow. Even though it is traditionally thought that ventilation does not limit exercise performance in the healthy adult, in recent years it has been demonstrated that individuals with a high work capacity may be prone to respiratory limitations. Respiratory limitations may arise in terms of gas exchange, respiratory mechanics, energetics of the respiratory muscles, or because of the development of respiratory muscle fatigue. During rowing the combination of the entrained breathing pattern, the mechanical limitations of the pulmonary system and the additional static supportive work for the upper body, place high demands upon the respiratory muscles. These demands predispose the respiratory muscles to fatigue despite of the high fitness levels observed in rowers. Due to the various implications that respiratory muscle fatigue can have upon rowing performance, the aim of this thesis will be: a) to investigate the incidence of respiratory muscle fatigue during rowing, b) to reduce respiratory muscle fatigue by means of inspiratory muscle training and a specific respiratory warm-up and c) to evaluate the effect of such interventions upon rowing performance

Effects of respiratory muscle endurance training on cerebral oxygenation and hemodynamics, and effort perceptions during maximal exercise.

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a 4-week respiratory muscle endurance training (eRMT) program on the physiological and psychological aspects of central fatigue using, respectively, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and quantification of effort perceptions during maximal exercise. A secondary objective was to assess any impact of eRMT on respiratory health and exercise performance. This study compared pre- and post-eRMT data from the same group of healthy adults. The results indicated that eRMT did not have any effect on respiratory function, exercise time to exhaustion, or physiological responses to exercise but significantly decreased ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) during exercise. An increase in the concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin [O2Hb], deoxygenated hemoglobin [HHb], and total hemoglobin [tHb] during exercise was observed post-eRMT compared to pre-eRMT, and this increase differed by hemisphere. Based on these preliminary findings, we suggest an eRMTinduced left-to-right hemodynamic shift during exercise, consistent with the change from a novel to a learned task

Handbook of clinical allergology

АЛЛЕРГОЛОГИЯУчебник по курсу "Аллергология" написан для иностранных студентов. Содержит 15 глав учебного материала, а также контрольные вопросы и ответы

Penyediaan modul pembelajaran secara komputer (Computer aided fixed learning module-CAFLM)

FLM (Fixed Learning Module) telah dijadikan bahan untuk dimasukkan ke dalam program CAFLM (Computer aided fixed learning module) di mana isi kandungannya dipindahkan dari poster ke dalam komputer. Segala isi kandungannya masih lagi dikekalkan. Modul-modul yang berkaitan dengan fisiologi telah dipilih dan dibahagikan mengikut tajuk tertentu seperti sistem pernafasan, sistem percernaan dan sistem penglihatan. Proses menyiapkan CAFLM dilakukan dengan menaip semula teks, melukis serta mengedit gambar yang terkandung dalam poster FLM

The influence of inspiratory muscle training upon balance and functional performance with older adults.

Accidental falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries amongst older adults in the Western world. Around 30% of people over 65 years will fall at least once a year in the UK, whereas 50% of people over 80 years will fall annually (NICE 2013). Recently, falls prevention programmes have begun to incorporate multidimensional movements with controlled breathing techniques (e.g. yoga, Tai chi and Pilates). Based on the research of Hodges, the diaphragm muscle may contribute to balance maintenance in two ways. Firstly, the diaphragm is activated during upper limb movements, which indicates that diaphragm co-activation may assist in the mechanical stabilisation of the spine. Secondly, the diaphragm plays a key role in the development of intra-abdominal pressure that helps to stabilise the lumbar spine during balance perturbations (e.g. shoulder abduction and adduction). This doctoral project investigates whether the effects of structured inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on respiratory function can improve indices of balance and physical performance with older adults. The project comprises three studies, each involved IMT delivered over 8 weeks, at home, and unsupervised. The IMT included: workload progression (increased according to each participant’s weekly improvement), twice-daily sessions (morning and evening) and training diaries (to monitor progression, adherence and attrition). Outcomes included: respiratory muscle function (e.g. maximal inspiratory pressure), physical performance (e.g. timed up and go), static and dynamic balance (e.g. mini-BEST) and trunk muscle strength (e.g. isometric flexion and extension) for a sample of older adults (n =129; age 72 ± 5 years). In study 1 IMT was found to be both feasible and safe, as an unsupervised home-based intervention with healthy older adults. In study 2 IMT proved to also be effective in improving respiratory muscle function, physical performance, dynamic balance and trunk muscle endurance. The final study (3) involved a comparison of community- dwellers performing IMT, and care home residents performing the Otago exercise programme (an established falls prevention intervention). Results showed that IMT produced similar balance improvements as the Otago exercise programme over 8 weeks, but with additional benefit to inspiratory muscle function and walking speed. In combination, these findings support the possibility of introducing IMT as a novel intervention for falls prevention for older adults in isolation, or together with established falls prevention intervention