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At least 631 records · Page 35Linked to original sources

PubMed2006

Spatial anisotropy in the encoding of three-dimensional passive limb position by the spinocerebellum.

In an earlier study, we found that the encoding of limb position in the sagittal plane across the population of spinocerebellar Purkinje cells was anisotropic with a preferential gradient along horizontal direction. The aim of this study was to extend to a three-dimensional (3D) workspace the analysis of the relationships between Purkinje cells activity and rat's forelimb spatial position. In anesthetized animals, the extracellular activity of 121 neurons was recorded while a robot passively placed the limb in 18 positions within a cubic workspace (3x3x3 cm). In order to characterize the relationship between spatial locations and Purkinje cell activity we performed a backward stepwise regression starting from a model with three independent variables representing the antero-posterior, the medial-lateral and the vertical axes of workspace. Regression analysis showed that the firing of most cells was modulated exclusively along the antero-posterior (25%) or the medial-lateral (38%) axis, while a small portion was related only to the vertical axis (8%), indicating a generalized nonuniform sensitivity of Purkinje cells to limb displacement in 3D space.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2004

The role of cutaneous sensation in the motor function of the hand.

We studied the effect of abolishing cutaneous sensation (by infiltrating local anaesthetic around the median nerve at the wrist) on the ability of 10 healthy volunteers (a) to maintain a submaximal isometric pinch-grip force for 30 s without visual feedback, and (b) to perform a fine finger-manipulation 'handwriting' task. Blocking cutaneous sensation had no effect on ability to maintain pinch force, suggesting that muscle afferents have the major role in force-control feedback. However, a near-linear fall in force, present with or without block (mean slope=-1.3+/-0.2% s(-1)), which cannot be attributed to motor fatigue, reveals a shortcoming of the afferent feedback system. Blocking cutaneous sensation did impair ability to perform the more demanding writing task, as judged by an 18+/-6% increase in the length of the path between target points, a 22+/-9% increase in the duration of the movement and a 63+/-24% in 'normalised averaged rectified jerk', an averaged time-derivative of acceleration (all significantly nonzero, P < 0.04). These experiments demonstrate the relative importance of muscular and cutaneous afferent feedback on two aspects of hand performance, and provide a way to quantify the deficit resulting from the lack of cutaneous sensation.

Electromyography↗

PubMed2004

Motor strategies in standing up in children with hemiplegia.

In spastic hemiplegia, the organization of whole body movements is impaired by deficient postural control. We studied segmental motor patterns involved in standing up from supine position in 15 children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy and 14 unimpaired children using a visual analysis scale previously validated for developmental research. This approach examines specific movement patterns in upper limbs, axis, and lower limbs. We found that children with hemiplegia use movement patterns described in normal children but with reduced interindividual variability and a significant preponderance of asymmetric patterns. One previously undescribed stereotyped lower limb pattern was observed in two children with spastic hemiplegia. Emergence of these patterns is consistent with the referent body image theory. This approach can systematically characterize the limited repertoire of movement in patients with disorders of movement and posture and therefore contribute to a better understanding of motor control. The approach may guide management proposals with particular reference to variability and symmetry and might be used as a follow-up tool.

Cerebral Palsy↗

PubMed2004

Alexander technique and Feldenkrais method: a critical overview.

This article develops an overall better understanding of the Alexander technique and Feldenkrais method. Initially, a brief history is provided to lay the groundwork for the development of these techniques. A description of the techniques, training requirements, and mechanism of action follows. Indications, contraindications, and patient selection are discussed. This article reviews and identifies what research has been completed and what areas need further investigation. Overall, the goal is to establish a guide to aid in determining who may benefit from these techniques and outcomes to expect when using these techniques.

Awareness↗

PubMed2006

Biomechanical assessment and treatment in lower extremity prosthetics and orthotics: a clinical perspective.

Biomechanical treatment is like a jigsaw puzzle with two complex counterparts having many pieces. The physical and mechanical components are equally important and cannot be separated from each other. The patient with a prosthesis or an orthosis represents a biomechanical system; total treatment is essential. All of the pieces to the puzzle must be used to complete the picture. Given the present structure of the educational system, there is a separation of disciplines necessary to provide one truly biomechanical treatment. Physical therapists are educated in the bio aspect of treatment, whereas prosthetists/orthotists are educated in the mechanical aspect. Biomechanical treatment requires the direct interaction and integration of the two disciplines. Physical therapists and prosthetists/orthotists need each other. One without the other can provide only half of the treatment necessary for optimal outcomes. The patient needs both. Physical therapists need to become more familiar with mechanical treatment and learn how to integrate this into their physical treatment program. Prosthetists/orthotists must become more familiar with the importance of physical treatment and the internal corrective forces necessary for efficient ambulation. The traditional label of orthotics and prosthetics and related technology as products must be replaced with biomechanical treatment that includes orthotics and prosthetics services. Professionals working with each other is a positive step, but they need to be working together as a team toward a common goal. They need to be in the same place at the same time and work together consistently to provide total treatment. This is more than a multidisciplinary approach. It is one treatment. In this way, each benefits the other as they teach and learn simultaneously. At present, this teaching and learning can be done only on an individual basis. It is the author's hope that experienced prosthetists/orthotists and physical therapists reading this article will see the need to combine their efforts to provide truly biomechanical treatment. By working together, they can expand their present knowledge and skills. In this way, treatment and outcomes can improve and serve as the guiding force for a new generation of rehabilitation specialists. This process can be expedited through the educational system by offering advanced clinical degrees specializing in biomechanical treatment specifically designed for clinical practice rather than research, administrative, or academic positions. For this idea to become reality, educational institutions representing the physical and mechanical aspects of biomechanical treatment also must work together; this would expedite the learning curve so that it would not take so long to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

Amputation, Surgical↗

PubMed2006

Illusory scene distortion occurs during perceived self-rotation in roll.

We report a novel illusory distortion of the visual scene, which became apparent during both: (i) observer rotation inside a furnished stationary room; and (ii) room rotation about the stationary observer. While this distortion had several manifestations, the most common experience was that scenery near fixation appeared to sometimes lead and other times lag more peripheral scenery. Across a series of experiments, we eliminated explanations based on eye-movements, distance misperception, peripheral aliasing, differential motion sensitivity and adaptation. We found that these illusory scene distortions occurred only when the observer perceived (real or illusory) changes in self-tilt and maintained a stable fixation.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Peripheral constraint versus on-line programming in rapid aimed sequential movements.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine how the programming and control of a rapid aiming sequence shifts with increased complexity. One objective was to determine if a preprogramming/peripheral constraint explanation is adequate to characterize control of an increasingly complex rapid aiming sequence, and if not, at what point on-line programming better accounts for the data. A second objective was to examine when on-line programming occurs. Three experiments were conducted in which complexity was manipulated by increasing the number of targets from 1 to 11. Initiation- and execution-timing patterns, probe reaction time (RT), and movement kinematics were measured. Results supported the peripheral constraint/pre-programming explanation for sequences up to 7 targets if they were executed in a blocked fashion. For sequences executed in a random fashion (one length followed by a different length), preprogramming did not increase with complexity, and on-line programming occurred without time cost. Across all sequences there was evidence that the later targets created a peripheral constraint on movements to previous targets. We suggest that programming is influenced by two factors: the overall spatial trajectory, which is consistent with Sidaway's subtended angle (SA) hypothesis (1991), and average velocity, with the latter established based on the number of targets in the sequence. As the number of targets increases, average velocity decreases, which controls variability of error in the extent of each movement segment. Overall the data support a continuous model of processing, one in which programming and execution co-occur, and can do so without time cost.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Biomechanical and perceptual determinants of drawing angles.

This study focuses on perceptual and biomechanical determinants of the kinematics of angular drawing movements. Two experiments are reported in which twelve righthanded adults were asked to draw geometrical patterns consisting of three segments comprising either two acute or two obtuse angles. In Experiment 1, a lower frequency of pauses was observed in acute patterns and their segment length tended to be overestimated. The former effect is attributed to the exploitation of elasticity (Guiard, 1993). In order to evaluate whether the latter effect was due to perceptual factors, a second experiment was conducted. Twelve subjects drew a subset of the angular patterns under normal visual conditions and under conditions in which they could neither see their moving limb nor the resulting drawing trace. Again, subjects produced more pauses at obtuse than at acute angles and tended to overestimate the segment length in acute patterns. It is concluded that pauses are likely to occur between segments of discrete movement sequences when potential energy needs to be dissipated. When conditions arise that allow subjects to exploit elasticity, however, segment length tends to increase. The results of Experiment 2 confirm that these phenomena are independent from visual perception.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Position sense testing: influence of starting position and type of displacement.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of starting position, target position, and various types of limb displacement on repositioning tests commonly used for clinical evaluation of rehabilitation. SETTING: Controlled laboratory environment. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen healthy volunteer subjects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Absolute error, ie, the absolute difference between target and replicate positions. DESIGN: Each subject performed four testing procedures consisting of different types of limb displacement (active, passive, and passive during antagonist muscle contraction). For each procedure, horizontal movements were performed ipsilaterally about the right glenohumeral joint from one intermediate starting position (40 degrees ) and two extreme starting positions (0 degrees and 80 degrees ). Four fixed target positions (16 degrees , 32 degrees, 48 degrees , 64 degrees ) were presented for each starting position. The subjects were required to replicate target position after returning to the respective starting position. RESULTS: Lower repositioning errors occurred with active displacement procedures compared with passive, and with the intermediate starting position compared with the extreme. Target position, however, had no effect on repositioning errors. CONCLUSIONS: Starting position and type of displacement should be considered in interpretations and comparisons of data from clinical studies.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

A new clinical test for cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility: "the fly".

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reliability and discriminative ability of a new test designed to detect accuracy of neck movements. DESIGN: Repeated-measures. Case-control. SETTING: University musculoskeletal research clinic in Iceland. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty women (mean age +/- standard deviation [SD], 30.8+/-9.1 y; range, 18-49 y) with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) grades I and II (duration, 6 mo-6 y), with current pain score on a visual analog scale of 46.8+/-21.8, and a disability score on the Northwick Park Neck Pain Disability Index of 45%+/-14%. Twenty asymptomatic women (mean age +/- SD, 29.3+/-8.6 y; range, 18-48 y) with no history of whiplash or insidious onset neck pain served as controls. INTERVENTION: A slowly moving object appeared on a computer screen and traced an unpredictable movement path that the subjects were required to follow by moving their heads. Three randomly ordered movement patterns were tested. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: A new software program connected to a 3Space Fastrak system was used to measure the mean absolute error (in millimeters) of 3 trials in each movement pattern. RESULTS: The mean differences (+/-2 SD) between days 1 and 2 were.01+/-.64 mm for the asymptomatic group and.33+/-1.80 mm for the WAD group. The between-day intraclass correlation coefficients were between.60 and.77 for the asymptomatic group and.79 and.86 for the WAD group. Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a significant difference between groups (P=.02). The Tukey post hoc test showed significant between-group differences for each movement pattern (P</=.05). In each successive trial, a slight improvement for the asymptomatic group and a slight worsening for the WAD group were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Better reliability was detected for the asymptomatic group than for the WAD group. The test could discriminate between the asymptomatic group versus the chronic WAD group.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Knee joint effusion and proprioception.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of excessive fluid in the knee joint on proprioception. Twenty healthy subjects with no knee pathology participated in this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. Baseline measurements of subjects performing a tracking task were then recorded. Specifically, one knee joint was moved passively by a dynamometer through a range of motion from approximately 90 degrees flexion to 10 degrees from full extension at a joint angular velocity of 60 degrees/sec. Subjects were blindfolded and required to track the passively moving joint as accurately as possible for a period of 1.25 minutes with the opposite limb. An electrogoniometer was used to monitor the motion of the active tracking limb. Ninety mL of a solution of saline and dextrose were injected into the knee joint cavity of the experimental subjects, and they repeated the tracking task. After a 5-minute rest, the control group subjects also repeated the task. The results indicated that the injection of fluid did not change the subjects' error in tracking the passively moving limb (p > 0.05). No change in the error associated with tracking was observed for the control group (p > 0.05). It is suggested that the effects of long-term effusions and the nature of the inflammatory fluid might be more responsible for the loss of proprioception observed in some clinical conditions.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Diabetic sensory neuropathy effect on ankle joint movement perception.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if diabetic subjects with lower extremity cutaneous sensory neuropathy also have a loss of ankle joint movement perception. The strength of association between measurements of ankle joint movement perception and measures of cutaneous sensory function was also investigated. DESIGN: Diabetic subjects with and without sensory neuropathy and individuals without diabetes participated in this study. SETTING: All subjects were community-living individuals. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-one subjects, ages 40 to 68. Seventeen of the 34 subjects with diabetes had significant distal sensory neuropathy as determined by cutaneous perception of mechanical vibration. All individuals without diabetes were volunteers from the community. Most subjects with diabetes were recruited through direct referral from their physicians. INTERVENTIONS: Ankle joint movement perception threshold (JMPT) was assessed using a device designed for this study. Cutaneous sensory function under both halluces was measured for vibration perception using a vibrometer and for touch-pressure perception using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ankle JMPTs (degrees) were compared to measurements of cutaneous vibration perception (volts) and touch-pressure perception (monofilaments force ratings). RESULTS: Diabetic subjects with cutaneous sensory neuropathy demonstrated a significant loss of ankle movement perception (p < .01). Correlation between JMPT and cutaneous sensory tests ranged from Spearman's rank r = .43 to .67. CONCLUSIONS: Although individuals with cutaneous sensory loss secondary to diabetic neuropathy also demonstrated loss of movement perception at the ankle, the relatively low explained variance between the two types of assessment (18% to 45%) indicates that the severity of ankle joint movement perception deficits cannot be directly implied from cutaneous sensory tests.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Impaired limb position sense after stroke: a quantitative test for clinical use.

OBJECTIVE: A quantitative measure of wrist position sense was developed to advance clinical measurement of proprioceptive limb sensibility after stroke. Test-retest reliability, normative standards, and ability to discriminate impaired and unimpaired performance were investigated. DESIGN: Retest reliability was assessed over three sessions, and a matched-pairs study compared stroke and unimpaired subjects. Both wrists were tested, in counterbalanced order. SETTING: Patients were tested in hospital-based rehabilitation units. PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Reliability was investigated on a consecutive sample of 35 adult stroke patients with a range of proprioceptive discrimination abilities and no evidence of neglect. A consecutive sample of 50 stroke patients and convenience sample of 50 healthy volunteers, matched for age, sex, and hand dominance, were tested in the normative-discriminative study. Age and sex were representative of the adult stroke population. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The test required matching of imposed wrist positions using a pointer aligned with the axis of movement and a protractor scale. RESULTS: The test was reliable (r = .88 and .92) and observed changes of 8 degrees can be interpreted, with 95% confidence, as genuine. Scores of healthy volunteers ranged from 3.1 degrees to 10.9 degrees average error. The criterion of impairment was conservatively defined as 11 degrees (+/-4.8 degrees) average error. Impaired and unimpaired performance were well differentiated. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians can confidently and quantitatively sample one aspect of proprioceptive sensibility in stroke patients using the wrist position sense test. Development of tests on other joints using the present approach is supported by our findings.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility, active range of cervical motion, and oculomotor function in patients with whiplash injury.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility, active range of cervical motion, and oculomotor function in patients with whiplash injury. DESIGN: A 2-year review of consecutive patients admitted to the emergency unit after whiplash injury. SETTING: An otorhinolaryngology department. PATIENTS AND SUBJECTS: Twenty-seven consecutive patients with diagnosed whiplash injury (14 men and 13 women, mean age, 33.8yrs [range, 18 to 66yrs]). The controls were healthy subjects without a history of whiplash injury. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Oculomotor function was tested at 2 months and at 2 years after whiplash injury. The ability to appreciate both movement and head position was studied. Active range of cervical motion was measured. Subjective intensity of neck pain and major medical symptoms were recorded. RESULTS: Active head repositioning was significantly less precise in the whiplash subjects than in the control group. Failures in oculomotor functions were observed in 62% of subjects. Significant correlations occurred between smooth pursuit tests and active cervical range of motion. Correlations also were established between the oculomotor test and the kinesthetic sensibility test. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that restricted cervical movements and changes in the quality of proprioceptive information from the cervical spine region affect voluntary eye movements. A flexion/extension injury to the neck may result in dysfunction of the proprioceptive system. Oculomotor dysfunction after neck trauma might be related to cervical afferent input disturbances.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Sitting posture affects pelvic floor muscle activity in parous women: an observational study.

QUESTION: Do different sitting postures require different levels of pelvic floor and abdominal muscle activity in healthy women? DESIGN: Observational study. PARTICIPANTS: Eight parous women with no pelvic floor dysfunction. OUTCOME MEASURES: Bilateral activity of pelvic floor muscles (assessed vaginally) and two abdominal muscles, obliquus internus abdominis and obliquus externus abdominis, during three sitting postures. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in pelvic floor muscle activity from slump supported sitting (mean 7.2% maximal voluntary contraction, SD 4.8) to both upright unsupported sitting (mean 12.6% maximal voluntary contraction, SD 7.8) (p = 0.01) and very tall unsupported sitting (mean 24.3% maximal voluntary contraction, SD 14.2) (p = 0.004). Activity in both abdominal muscles also increased but did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Both unsupported sitting postures require greater pelvic floor muscle activity than the supported sitting posture.

Abdominal Muscles↗

PubMed2002

Hand positioning sense in children with spina bifida myelomeningocele.

This study was undertaken to establish whether children with myelomeningocele have abnormal kinaesthesia of the hands. Twenty-one children with myelomeningocele and 21 control children aged between six and 12 years were involved in the study. The level of kinaesthetic awareness in the hands was measured by examining the child's ability to copy hand positions, using visual cueing and kinaesthetic cueing. Both accuracy and speed of copying hand gestures were assessed. Children with spina bifida were significantly less accurate in achieving hand positions than the control group (chi square(1) = 22.60, p < 0.001), with 73% of the children with spina bifida achieving accurate replications compared with 87% in the control group. Furthermore, children with myelomeningocele were shown to be slower than the controls (F(1,280) = 15.49, p < 0.001). The impaired kinaesthetic awareness found in this study is considered to be one of the factors behind the poor hand function observed in children with myelomeningocele.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2001

The relationship between involuntary pelvic floor muscle activity, muscle awareness and experienced threat in women with and without vaginismus.

This study assessed the relationship between involuntary pelvic floor muscle activity, muscle awareness and experienced threat in women with and without vaginismus. Information about this relationship may help understand the mechanism of vaginismus. Twenty-two women with vaginismus and seven control women participated in the study. Women were exposed to four emotion-inducing film excerpts. Vaginal electromyography was recorded. Experienced threat was continuously monitored with the use of a lever. Women responded with increased pelvic floor muscle activity to the threatening and sexually-threatening film excerpt. No changes occurred during the neutral and erotic excerpt. The subjective experienced threat as indicated with the lever showed the same response pattern. However, awareness of changes in muscle activity showed a slightly different pattern. Individual data were inspected. In general, agreement was found between recorded changes in muscle activity and experienced threat. The results of the erotic excerpt showed that awareness of changes in muscle activity is not only determined by information from the pelvic floor muscles, but also by other factors like situational information and the expectations of the women. The data support the idea of a general defense reaction as a mechanism of involuntary pelvic floor muscle activity.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

The human cerebellum and associative learning: dissociation between the acquisition, retention and extinction of conditioned eyeblinks.

The present paper is part of a systematic exploration of the neural substrates of conditioned eyeblink responses in humans. Normal subjects and patients with lesions restricted to the cerebellum were examined for their ability to acquire new classically conditioned eyeblinks to an auditory conditioned stimulus and whether they were able to perform and extinguish a previously learned natural anticipatory eyeblink response - the kinesthetic threat eyeblink response (KTER). In classical conditioning to an auditory conditioned stimulus, cerebellar patients failed to acquire new conditioned responses. In contrast to this impairment, in the KTER task both cerebellar patients and control subjects exhibited a high incidence of anticipatory eyeblinks which were initiated before the forehead tap. These results indicate that the cerebellar circuits, which are critical for the acquisition of new conditioned responses, are not essential for the storage and expression of naturally acquired conditioned responses. In the extinction experiment, cerebellar patients failed to extinguish their KTERs. This finding suggests that in humans, the acquisition of new and the extinction of previously learned conditioned responses depends on a similar set of cerebellar circuits.

Animals↗