EMG study of back muscles in patients with Duchenne dystrophy

Abstract

We have measured the electromyographic (EMG) activity of 10 patients suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) that were performing isometric force tasks with their paraspinal muscles. No difference between the right and left muscle activity was found in the healthy subjects and the 5 DMD patients without scoliosis. The 3 patients with < 10˚ of Cobb angle showed a higher EMG on the concave side of their curve while one patient with a 15˚ scoliosis had a higher muscular activity on the convex side of his deformation. These preliminary results suggest that more activity on the concave side of the spine could be at the origin of the scoliosis in DMD patients while later on, a correction mechanism would tend to oppose the deformation.