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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Rehabil. Sci.
Sec. Rehabilitation Engineering
Volume 5 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fresc.2024.1489927
This article is part of the Research Topic Surface EMG and other measurement techniques in rehabilitation research and practice: are new educational programs needed? View all 3 articles

Exploring Knowledge, Perception, and Use of Surface Electromyography in Physiotherapy Post Graduate Trainees in Italy: A Single Center Preliminary Survey

Provisionally accepted
Gianluca Bertoni Gianluca Bertoni 1,2,3*Gaia Leuzzi Gaia Leuzzi 1,4Mirko Job Mirko Job 1Marica de Simone Marica de Simone 1Marco Testa Marco Testa 1
  • 1 Eye clinic, Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Science, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
  • 2 Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale di Cremona, Cremona, Italy
  • 3 Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Lombardy, Italy
  • 4 Vrije Universiteit of Brussel (VUB), Department of Physical Education and Rehabilitation, Experimental Anatomy Research Group (EXAN), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium., Brussels, Belgium

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Introduction: Surface electromyography (sEMG) is a non-invasive technique that records muscle electrical activity using skin-surface electrodes, aiding physiotherapists in assessing and treating muscular and neuromuscular conditions. Despite its potential, sEMG remains underutilized in Italy.This study aims to evaluate Italian physiotherapists' knowledge and use of sEMG, specifically among those who completed the Master's Degree in Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal and Rheumatological Disorders at the University of Genoa. Methods: This cross-sectional study, approved by the University of Genoa's Ethical Committee, utilized an anonymous web survey to gather data from physiotherapy students in the master's program. The survey, developed based on the International Handbook of Survey Methodology, consisted of 12 questions covering demographics, previous sEMG experience, the importance of sEMG in practice and research, and educational satisfaction. Data collection spanned from January to May 2024, with a response rate of 72.7% (93 participants). Descriptive analysis was used to summarize the data.The average age of respondents was 26.5 years, with 55.9% being male. Only 3.2% reported using sEMG in their practice. While 46.2% considered sEMG moderately important for practice, 40.9% deemed it extremely important for research. Most participants felt their undergraduate education inadequately prepared them for using sEMG, with 81.7% rating their preparation as insufficient. Although the master's program improved sEMG knowledge, 66.7% indicated no significant proficiency gain.Italian physiotherapists view sEMG mainly as a research tool rather than a clinical one.The findings highlight the need for curriculum reforms to enhance both theoretical and practical sEMG education. Simplifying and standardizing sEMG protocols and integrating sEMG training into physiotherapy curricula are essential steps to better prepare clinicians for its clinical application.

    Keywords: Survey, Physiotherapy, Surface electromyography (EMG), Rehabilitation, Electromyography

    Received: 02 Sep 2024; Accepted: 09 Oct 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Bertoni, Leuzzi, Job, de Simone and Testa. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Gianluca Bertoni, Eye clinic, Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Science, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.