Wearable electromyography recordings during daily life activities in children with cerebral palsy

Aim To test whether wearable textile electromyography (EMG) recording systems may detect differences in muscle activity levels during daily activities between children with cerebral palsy (CP) and age‐matched typically developing children. Method Wearable textile EMG recording systems were used to obtain leg muscle activity in 10 children with spastic CP (four females, six males; mean age 9y 6mo, standard deviation [SD] 2y 4mo, range: 6–13y; Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] level I and II) and 11 typically developing children (four females, seven males; mean age 9y 9mo, SD 1y 11mo, 7–12y) at rest and while performing seven daily activities. Results Children with CP showed significantly lower absolute EMG levels during maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) of muscles on the most affected side as compared to the least affected side and to typically developing children. None of the typically developing children or children with CP showed detectable EMG activity in resting situations. EMG activity relative to MVC was greater in children with CP during walking, jumping, and kicking on the most affected side as compared to the least affected side and to typically developing children. Interpretation Wearable textile EMG recording systems may be used to determine differences in muscle activity during daily activities in children with CP. Children with CP showed reduced muscle activity during daily activities compared to their peers, but used a significantly larger part of their maximal voluntary muscle strength to perform these activities. What this paper adds Wearable textile electromyography (EMG) systems are feasible for measurement of daily muscle activity in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Children with CP showed reduced EMG levels during maximal voluntary contractions. Neither typically developing children or children with CP showed EMG activity in resting situations. Children with CP used a larger part of their voluntary muscle strength during daily activities. Resumen Grabaciones de electromiografía portátil durante las actividades de la vida diaria en niños con parálisis cerebral Objetivo Probar si los sistemas de registro de electromiografía textil portátil (EMG) pueden detectar diferencias en los niveles de actividad muscular durante las actividades diarias entre los niños con parálisis cerebral (PC) y los niños de desarrollo típico de la misma edad. Método Se utilizaron sistemas de registro de EMG textiles portátiles para obtener a