left temporal EMG and hi beta

November 22, 2008

Hello list,

I am training a 50y old women for fibromyalgy-like symptoms (low energy,

busy mind, irritable, sore muscles, and overreacting to any sensory

stimulation, even the ticking of the clock).

We are doing a WSq training at T3 (12-18) - T4 (10-15), that gives

relieve of symptoms. We trained at a fixed threshold of 30, last week

lowering it to 25 because of improvements.

We do 6 trials of 5 minutes each per session. My equipment is Biograph

Infiniti.

A few things happen, that I cannot explain:

a. Sometimes the EEG shows a sudden and significant raise in high

frequency (52-58Hz) at the left temporal (and not at the right). The

amplitude is oscillates around 7 or 8. This leaks into the lower beta

regions of the EEG, and a change in threshold is necessary (sometimes to

50) in order to receive any reward.

b. Sometimes there is this raise in left temporal hi beta but NOT

accompanied by increase in 52-58 Hz. That is: 18-38 is extremely high,

but the EMG amplitude stays under, say, 4 or 5... During these trials she

reacts very good at feedback and the 5 second histogram always shows a

wonderful decline of hi beta. Her mental trick is: 'let it go...'

c. During other trials (always 5 minute) 18-38 as well as 52-58 is more

proportional to the right site.

Artifact tests did not give a clue. We tested facial muscles, cheeks,

neck and shoulder with son tecnniques but the EEG doesnot react at

it as much as during the spontaneous surges that I described. Equipment

errors can be ruled out, as the problem isnot there all the time.

It seems that inter-trail overactivity (talking a lot, as if she wants to

empty her busy mind) sometimes predict these hi beta surges, though I am

not sure.

My client usually has more pain in left shoulder and neck, which becomes

worse during the second half of the training period. However, she

confuses muscle tension with muscle soreness. If this left side pain is

because of chronic high muscle tone, it should come from the right

cortex...

Anybody who can offer an explanation?

Thanks,

Jan Schene, health psychologist

Haarlem

Nederland

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