Research Article

THE BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS FOR WIDESPREAD USING SURFACE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN TURKIYE

Volume: 36 Number: 1 April 25, 2025
TR EN

THE BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS FOR WIDESPREAD USING SURFACE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN TURKIYE

Abstract

Purpose: Surface electromyography (sEMG) is a non-invasive tool for understanding the mechanisms of neuromuscular systems, which provides very useful and important quantitative electrophysiological information as part of evidence-based practice. The sEMG has many applications across a wide variety of fields (e.g., in neurophysiology, physiotherapy, biofeedback, gait analysis, ergonomics, occupational medicine, neurorehabilitation, etc.). Although there are a great number of publications, books, tutorials, and advancements in sEMG, there remains a gap characterized by its lack of clinical acceptance. This study aimed to investigate facilitators and barriers to the widespread use of sEMG among clinicians. Methods: An online survey with 46 items was conducted to potential practitioners of sEMG including medical doctors, physiotherapists, and non-clinical researchers. Descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation tests were employed. Results: This study found that sEMG did not have high clinical acceptance despite a common perception of its clinical potential and benefits. It has been commonly used for research purposes. The major barriers were found as a lack of knowledge and experience about sEMG signals and systems due to the poor educational background of sEMG. When comparing the purpose of using sEMG, there were statistical differences in diagnosis (p=0.002) and research (p=0.004) but no differences in treatment (p=0.103). Significant statistical differences were also found among participants who took an sEMG course and those who did not (p=0.009). Conclusion: The findings indicate that multidisciplinary bachelor's and master's programs, like a Dutch Model, are needed because advances in sEMG require new professional skills with medical and technical knowledge.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

We received ethical approval for this online survey from Tarsus University Human Research Ethical Committee with reference no: 2020/44 and date: 26/10/2020.

Thanks

We thank Prof. Robert Merletti for the encouragement of this research on such an important subject and the contributions he made to this research.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Physiotherapy

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

May 15, 2025

Publication Date

April 25, 2025

Submission Date

October 28, 2023

Acceptance Date

April 14, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 36 Number: 1

APA
Alcan, V., Zinnuroğlu, M., Kahveci, A., Uysal, H., Demir, E., & Tüzün, H. (2025). THE BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS FOR WIDESPREAD USING SURFACE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN TURKIYE. Türk Fizyoterapi Ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi, 36(1), 79-91. https://doi.org/10.21653/tjpr.1382424
AMA
1.Alcan V, Zinnuroğlu M, Kahveci A, Uysal H, Demir E, Tüzün H. THE BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS FOR WIDESPREAD USING SURFACE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN TURKIYE. Türk Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi. 2025;36(1):79-91. doi:10.21653/tjpr.1382424
Chicago
Alcan, Veysel, Murat Zinnuroğlu, Abdulvahap Kahveci, Hilmi Uysal, Erdem Demir, and Hakan Tüzün. 2025. “THE BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS FOR WIDESPREAD USING SURFACE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN TURKIYE”. Türk Fizyoterapi Ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi 36 (1): 79-91. https://doi.org/10.21653/tjpr.1382424.
EndNote
Alcan V, Zinnuroğlu M, Kahveci A, Uysal H, Demir E, Tüzün H (April 1, 2025) THE BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS FOR WIDESPREAD USING SURFACE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN TURKIYE. Türk Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi 36 1 79–91.
IEEE
[1]V. Alcan, M. Zinnuroğlu, A. Kahveci, H. Uysal, E. Demir, and H. Tüzün, “THE BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS FOR WIDESPREAD USING SURFACE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN TURKIYE”, Türk Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 79–91, Apr. 2025, doi: 10.21653/tjpr.1382424.
ISNAD
Alcan, Veysel - Zinnuroğlu, Murat - Kahveci, Abdulvahap - Uysal, Hilmi - Demir, Erdem - Tüzün, Hakan. “THE BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS FOR WIDESPREAD USING SURFACE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN TURKIYE”. Türk Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi 36/1 (April 1, 2025): 79-91. https://doi.org/10.21653/tjpr.1382424.
JAMA
1.Alcan V, Zinnuroğlu M, Kahveci A, Uysal H, Demir E, Tüzün H. THE BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS FOR WIDESPREAD USING SURFACE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN TURKIYE. Türk Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi. 2025;36:79–91.
MLA
Alcan, Veysel, et al. “THE BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS FOR WIDESPREAD USING SURFACE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN TURKIYE”. Türk Fizyoterapi Ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi, vol. 36, no. 1, Apr. 2025, pp. 79-91, doi:10.21653/tjpr.1382424.
Vancouver
1.Veysel Alcan, Murat Zinnuroğlu, Abdulvahap Kahveci, Hilmi Uysal, Erdem Demir, Hakan Tüzün. THE BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS FOR WIDESPREAD USING SURFACE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN TURKIYE. Türk Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi. 2025 Apr. 1;36(1):79-91. doi:10.21653/tjpr.1382424