Quantitative evaluation of post-stroke upper limb spasticity based on multi-parameter surface electromyography signal analysis

Rao Wang; Wenjun Li

doi:10.37190/abb/221815

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Quantitative evaluation of post-stroke upper limb spasticity based on multi-parameter surface electromyography signal analysis

Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics

Volume 28 (2026): Issue 2 (June 2026)

By: Rao Wang and Wenjun Li

Open Access

|Sep 2026

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to explore the application value of multi-parameter surface electromyography (sEMG) combined with Motor Status Scale (MSS) score in the evaluation of post-stroke upper limb spasticity.

Methods

42 patients with post-stroke upper limb spasticity were enrolled in a self-controlled study design. All patients received routine neurological treatment and rehabilitation training. The integrated electromyographic value (iEMG), root mean square (RMS) value, median frequency (MF), and mean power frequency (MPF) were analyzed, and the co-contraction ratio (CR) was calculated.

Results

After treatment, the iEMG, RMS, MF, and MPF values of the forearm flexor and extensor muscle groups significantly increased in the 42 patients (P < 0.05). At rest, the RMS and iEMG values of the affected forearm flexor and extensor muscles were significantly higher than those of the unaffected side and the healthy control group (P < 0.05). During active movement, the RMS and iEMG values of the affected muscles were significantly lower than those of the unaffected side and the healthy control group (P < 0.05). The total MSS score was significantly increased compared with that before treatment (P < 0.001). sEMG parameters were negatively correlated with balance function parameters (P < 0.05). The modified Ashworth Scale assessment showed that the total effective rate was 95.24%. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve values of iEMG, RMS, MF, and MPF for evaluating the efficacy were 0.748, 0.731, 0.737, and 0.826, respectively (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Multi-parameter sEMG analysis combined with MSS score can objectively and quantitatively evaluate the functional status of post-stroke upper limb spasticity.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37190/abb/221815 | Journal eISSN: 2450-6303 | Journal ISSN: 1509-409X

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Language: English

Page range: 25 - 37

Submitted on: Mar 14, 2026

Accepted on: May 14, 2026

Published on: Sep 22, 2026

Published by: Wroclaw University of Science and Technology

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

Keywords:

Functional evaluation,

Motor status scale,

Stroke,

Surface electromyography,

Upper limb spasticity

Related subjects:

Engineering,

Bioengineering and biomedical engineering,

Cellular and tissue engineering,

Biomechanics,

Medicine,

Biomedical engineering,

Materials sciences,

Biomaterials and natural materials

© 2026 Rao Wang, Wenjun Li, published by Wroclaw University of Science and Technology
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 28 (2026): Issue 2 (June 2026)