This study aimed to examine the redistribution of neuromuscular junctions or innervation zones (IZs) after spinal cord injuries (SCI). Fifteen able-bodied subjects and 15 subjects with SCI (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A to D), participated in the study. Surface electromyography (EMG) signals were collected from the biceps brachii muscle by a customized linear electrode array when subjects generated maximal isometric voluntary contractions. The Radon transform was applied to detect the IZ locations in the multiple channel surface EMG signals which were differentiated between consecutive channels. The distribution of IZs was compared between the SCI and control groups using the student-t test. Statistical analysis disclosed a significantly wider range of IZs in the SCI group compared with the control group (SCI: 3.83 ± 1.32 IED, control: 2.83 ± 0. 87 IED, IED: inter-electrode distance, p < 0.05). No remarkable shifts of the center of the distribution were observed between the two groups (SCI: 9.23 ± 2.35 IED, control: 8.53 ± 2.33 IED, p = 0.42). Changes of IZ distribution in the paralyzed muscles could be associated with the complex neuromuscular reorganization after the SCI.

本研究旨在检查脊髓损伤 (SCI) 后神经肌肉接头或神经支配区 (IZ) 的重新分布。15名身体健全的受试者和15名患有SCI（美国脊髓损伤协会损伤量表A至D）的受试者参加了这项研究。当受试者产生最大等长自主收缩时，通过定制的线性电极阵列从肱二头肌收集表面肌电图 (EMG) 信号。应用 Radon 变换来检测多个通道表面 EMG 信号中的 IZ 位置，这些信号在连续通道之间进行区分。使用学生t在 SCI 组和对照组之间比较 IZ 的分布。测试。统计分析显示，与对照组相比，SCI 组的 IZ 范围明显更广（SCI：3.83 ± 1.32 IED，对照：2.83 ± 0. 87 IED，IED：电极间距离，p < 0.05）。两组之间没有观察到分布中心的显着变化（SCI：9.23±2.35 IED，对照：8.53±2.33 IED，p = 0.42）。瘫痪肌肉中 IZ 分布的变化可能与 SCI 后复杂的神经肌肉重组有关。