Win Hay Mar

• Ultrasound-paired Surface Electromyography as a Non-invasive Tool to Assess Muscle Structure and Function
• MBBS (NUMed)

Neuromuscular disorders are conditions that affect muscles or nerves leading to progressive loss of movement and function. Delayed diagnosis makes prognosis worse, while early detection is key. A safe, simple, and comfortable tool could allow patients for quicker diagnosis, more effective care and better quality of life.

As people age, muscles mass and performance decline naturally. We studied this using surface electromyography (to measure muscle electrical activity) together with ultrasound (to see muscle movement) while stimulating a nerve. The nerve and the muscle it activates are called a motor unit. We tested on three muscle groups with their corresponding nerves in each participant.

Our findings from preliminary analysis of comparing older and younger participants, suggest that muscle structure and function change with age. All participants found the test tolerable with no one dropping out. With further research, this combined technique could become a comfortable diagnostic tool for neuromuscular disorders.