Critically re-evaluating a common technique: Accuracy, reliability, and confirmation bias of EMG

Dr. Stephen Goutman interviews Drs. Pushpa Narayanaswami and Seward Rutkove about their article Critically re-evaluating a common technique: Accuracy, reliability, and confirmation bias of EMG. This study supports that in evaluations of radiculopathy (1) serial EMG studies should be performed by the same electromyographer since intrarater reliability is better than interrater reliability; (2) knowledge of clinical information does not bias EMG interpretation substantially, (3) EMG has moderate diagnostic accuracy for radiculopathy with modest specificity and electromyographers should exercise caution interpreting mild abnormalities. Neurology. 2016 Jan 19:86(3):218-23.