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Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation

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Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research

Bayesian aggregation versus majority vote in the characterization of non-specific arm pain based on quantitative needle electromyography

Authors: Andrew Hamilton-Wright, Linda McLean, Daniel W Stashuk, Kristina M Calder

Published in: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation | Issue 1/2010

Abstract

Background

Methods for the calculation and application of quantitative electromyographic (EMG) statistics for the characterization of EMG data detected from forearm muscles of individuals with and without pain associated with repetitive strain injury are presented.

Methods

A classification procedure using a multi-stage application of Bayesian inference is presented that characterizes a set of motor unit potentials acquired using needle electromyography. The utility of this technique in characterizing EMG data obtained from both normal individuals and those presenting with symptoms of "non-specific arm pain" is explored and validated. The efficacy of the Bayesian technique is compared with simple voting methods.

Results

The aggregate Bayesian classifier presented is found to perform with accuracy equivalent to that of majority voting on the test data, with an overall accuracy greater than 0.85. Theoretical foundations of the technique are discussed, and are related to the observations found.

Conclusions

Aggregation of motor unit potential conditional probability distributions estimated using quantitative electromyographic analysis, may be successfully used to perform electrodiagnostic characterization of "non-specific arm pain." It is expected that these techniques will also be able to be applied to other types of electrodiagnostic data.

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Title: Bayesian aggregation versus majority vote in the characterization of non-specific arm pain based on quantitative needle electromyography
Authors: Andrew Hamilton-Wright
Linda McLean
Daniel W Stashuk
Kristina M Calder
Publication date: 01-12-2010
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1743-0003
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-0003-7-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Bayesian aggregation versus majority vote in the characterization of non-specific arm pain based on quantitative needle electromyography

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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