Autonomic Function Test with Electromyography Equipment

doi:2018.20.1.1

J Electrodiagn Neuromuscul Dis > Volume 20(1); 2018 > Article

Review Article

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2018;20(1):1-6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18214/jkaem.2018.20.1.1 Published online June 30, 2018.

Autonomic Function Test with Electromyography Equipment

Received: 2 November 2017 • Revised: 1 December 2017 • Accepted: 7 December 2017

Abstract

Noninvasive, well-validated clinical tests of autonomic function are available and are relatively widely used. These comprise the evaluation of sudomotor, cardiovagal, and adrenergic functions. These tests are very useful and have resulted in the recognition of milder degrees of autonomic failure and the presence of orthostatic intolerance that previously were missed. In this review, we present available tests with electromyography equipment. The test of sympathetic cholinergic sudomotor function includes the sympathetic skin response. Tests of parasympathetic cardiovagal regulation include heart rate variation with deep breathing, the Valsalva ratio, and heart rate analysis during standing (the 30:15 ratio). Because it do not measure or control for expiratory pressure or include beat-to-beat blood pressure measurement, vasomotor adrenergic function cannot be evaluated.

Key Words: electromyography, autonomic nervous system