Further evaluation of an EMG technique for assessment of the deep cervical flexor muscles

Muscle Functional MRI as an Imaging Tool to Evaluate Muscle Activity

“…Accordingly, mfMRI has gained popularity in studies evaluating muscle function, including deep paraspinal muscles 9,10,15,20,25,42 that were previously difficult to achieve and not without some risk with invasive EMG. 26,27,34,46,60 …”

Performance of the Craniocervical Flexion Test, Forward Head Posture, and Headache Clinical Parameters in Patients With Chronic Tension-Type Headache: A Pilot Study

“…Such increase in the EMG activity of the deep cervical flexors did not occur during other neck or jaw movements, supporting the muscle specificity of this test. 8 The pressure that the subject can achieved and hold in a steady manner for 10 seconds is called the activation pressure score. 21 The tonic capacity of the deep neck flexors is assessed by monitoring the subject's ability to sustain the upper cervical flexion position at the achievable pressure (activation pressure score) in a preset task of attempting 10 repetitions of 10-set holds.…”

Correlation between deep cervical flexor muscle thickness at rest and sternocleidomastoid activity during the craniocervical flexion test

“…Contracting bilaterally from a neutral cervical spine position, the sternocleidomastoid, particularly the posterior portions of the muscle, is a flexor of the lower cervical spine and an extensor of the upper cervical spine (Vasavada et al, 1998). Less electromyographic (EMG) amplitude for the sternocleidomastoid in the task of CCF supports the use of this clinical test to differentiate activation between the deep cervical flexors and sternocleidomastoid muscles (Falla et al, 2006). The anterior portions of the sternocleidomastoid have relatively neutral moment arms about the craniocervical articulations in neutral head and cervical spine posture (Kamibayashi and Richmond, 1998).…”

“…Contracting bilaterally, the anterior scalene muscles flex the middle and lower cervical region (Vasavada et al, 1998). Despite no attachment to the cranium, the anterior scalene muscles demonstrate some activity during the action of CCF (Falla et al, 2006). Cagnie et al (2011) showed that activity of the longus capitis and longus colli was reduced, whereas the sternocleidomastoid showed increased activity, during the CCFT in an experimental neck muscle pain condition.…”