Therapeutic uses of surface electromyography for rehabilitation: An emerging tool across clinical applications.

Published September 12, 2026. This review explains how seeing muscle activity in real time can support rehabilitation practice. It highlights applications and barriers to wider clinical use.

Vu SH, Lutgens J, Manolopoulos KR, Katt S, Smith SM, Bunnell AE, Liu YK.
PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation · Publication date: 2026-09-12
Added to site: 2026-09-16
DOI: 10.1002/pmrj.70210

Original publication date verified from the authoritative indexed record; separate from the date added to this site.

Modalities

Biofeedback, EMG

Clinical focus

Rehabilitation, Motor function

Population

Clinical rehabilitation applications across patient groups

Sample

No new participant cohort; study count not stated in the abstract

Intervention / method

Surface EMG feedback for recognizing muscle activation and adjusting movement

Comparator

No new controlled comparison or pooled effect estimate

Clinician summary

The authors describe facilitating weak-muscle recruitment and reducing unwanted co-contraction. The review presents a clinical framework, not a new trial establishing treatment benefit.

How to interpret the findings

Abstract-only assessment. Search methods, evidence grading, condition-specific effect sizes, durability and adverse-event synthesis were not available. Muscle EMG is not EEG or a direct brain-health measurement.

Equipment and disclosures

Surface electrodes over selected muscle groups; no verified product attribution.

Funding and competing interests were not verified from the reviewed abstract.

Related evidence

Compare findings from the same clinical area, including mixed results.

• Noninvasive brain stimulation for motor function and quality of life in Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis · Positive with limitations