A decomposition software package for the decomposition of long-term multi-channel electromyrographic signals

The analysis of intramuscular EMG signals is based on the decomposition of the signals into basic units. Existing decomposition software only supports short registration periods or single-channel recordings of signals of constant muscle effort. In this paper, we present the decomposition software EMG-LODEC (ElectroMyoGram LOng-term DEComposition) that is especially designed for multi-channel long-term recordings of signals of slight muscle movements. Based on experiments on simulated and recorded EMG signals, our software is capable of providing reliable decompositions with satisfying accuracy. EMG-LODEC is suitable for the study of motor-unit discharge patterns and recruitment order in healthy subjects and patients.