High density surface electromyography: A review of technology and its applications

This work is intended for life science researchers and novice users who are currently employing or planning to employ high-density electromyography (HD-sEMG) techniques. An HD-sEMG system measures the electrical activity of muscles by generating detailed activation maps using multiple, densely arranged electrodes placed over a limited area of the skin. Electromyography systems are composed of several components, which can be systematically identified through a structured literature review. This review focuses exclusively on 2D HD-sEMG systems and adopts a descriptive, narrative-based approach aligned with established guidelines for systematic literature reviews. It compares similarities and differences across studies to identify the key elements that should be reported when describing a 2D HD-sEMG system. Data were extracted from 48 articles, which were analyzed and categorized into three main domains: technology, instrumentation, and implementation. Based on this analysis, a set of minimum reporting guidelines for HD-sEMG systems was developed, accompanied by a checklist designed to ensure comprehensive and standardized documentation.