Assessment of extension movement in the cervical area through the analysis of electromyographic signals in patients with spastic CP

This project focuses on characterizing the rehabilitation process in children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP), a condition that significantly impairs postural and cervical control. The study addresses the need to objectively quantify muscle activity to optimize physiotherapy treatments. The proposed methodology involves analyzing surface electromyographic (EMG) signals recorded during cervical extension movements in patients from the Azuay Cerebral Palsy Institute (IPCA). Historically, EMG has been crucial for understanding muscle physiological status and locating nerve lesions. In this context, electromyography will be used to analyze the amplitude, frequency, and timing of muscle signals associated with deficient motor control. A computational application will be designed in Matlab to digitally process the signals acquired through a bioinstrumentation system (including electrode-skin interface and analog-to-digital conversion). The resulting electronic data will be compared with existing medical diagnoses to assess the degree of disability and monitor patient evolution throughout therapy sessions, aiming to establish patterns that support diagnosis and therapeutic prescription.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>To characterize the evolution in the rehabilitation of patients with Spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP), focusing on cervical flexion/extension movements, through the analysis of surface myoelectric signals (EMG). The ultimate goal is to quantify muscle activation levels to determine the most appropriate and intensive physiotherapy treatment.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Biomechanics