1998 Volume 25 Pages 8-16
For spasmodic torticollis patients we have heretofore selected from the bilateral trapezius muscles and sternocleidomastoid muscles two sites which strongly reflect the symptoms and employed them as indices of feedback. However, as the sites and EMGs which reflect the symptoms commonly change with changes in status of spasmodic torticollis, there have been phases in which 2-channel feedback does not provide sufficient information. We have therefore attempted 4-channel EMG biofeedback for two cases of spasmodic torticollis. 4-channel indices employed as indices were EMGs of bilateral trapezius muscles and sternocleidomastoid muscles. In 4-channel display of EMGs, feedback indices were shown as pattern on the computer display. As result, in both case-1 (60-year-old, female, office worker) and case-2 (27-year-old, male, store worker), control of EMGs was possible and torticollis almost completely disappeared. By the present 4-channel EMG pattern feedback, both direct control of EMG and control of balance became possible. In EMG biofeedback for spasmodic torticollis, it is considered that not only feedback of myogenic potential but also feedback of pattern of the entire neck image are important. However, the treatment period did not show any change when compared to that of the heretofore employed 2-channel feedback and 4-channel feedback did not immediately lead to shortening of treatment period. Furthermore, in observing the changes in fingertip skin temperature during trial of EMG biofeedback, it was ascertained that there was decrease in EMG together with elevation of skin temperature in both cases. These suggest that fingertip skin temperature can be employed as an index of feedback of spasmodic torticollis.
