scholarly journals Analysis of Postural Stability After Concussion Using Empirical Mode Decomposition: A Pilot Study

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles M. Schneider ◽  
Ajay K. Verma ◽  
Tamanna T. K. Munia ◽  
Mark Romanick ◽  
Kouhyar Tavakolian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Empirical Mode Decomposition ◽  
Postural Stability ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Electrode Placement ◽  
Upright Stance ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Mode Decomposition ◽  
Postural Equilibrium

Maintaining upright stance is a complex process, it requires appropriate functioning of a postural control system which consists of inputs from somatosensory, vestibular, musculoskeletal, and proprioceptive systems as well as from several brain regions [1–4]. A concussion is defined as a brain injury caused due to unexpected acceleration/deceleration of the head causing temporary alteration of brain function and it is a prevalent source of injury to football athletes [1]. With the altered function of the brain, the ability to maintain postural equilibrium becomes challenging due to the inability of individuals to respond promptly to stressors, thus, making maintenance of postural equilibrium rather difficult for individuals with a concussion. Effects of concussion on postural ability are shown to last up to three days post injury [5]. Postural stability test, therefore, can be performed to make a valid return to play (RTP) decision, pre-mature RTP is shown to have been catastrophic due to its potential to permanently impair previously affected region/functioning [1,5]. Postural sway data (center of pressure, COP) is traditionally analyzed to study the postural control. Therefore, COP can provide critical information regarding individual’s ability to maintain upright stance post injury. A more sensitive concussion assessment tool based on electroencephalogram (EEG) is used to accurately track effects of concussion [6]. However, sophisticated electrode placement requirement inhibits its immediate applicability. In current preliminary research, we attempt to differentiate athletes with a history of concussion (experimental) from healthy (control) using postural data. In order to do so, a concept of empirical mode decomposition (EMD) was adopted. EMD has shown evidence in the literature to infer vital information pertaining to the complex underlying physiological phenomenon [4, 7–8]. In the current research, the resultant COP (COPr) was decomposed into its finite set of band-limited signals termed as intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) [8], a set of linear and nonlinear features were extracted from COPr and its IMfs. Lastly, a test of significance was conducted to infer the potential of postural data for differentiating concussed from healthy athletes.

scholarly journals Time-to-Boundary Function to Study the Development of Upright Stance Control in Children

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-58
Author(s):  
Carmen D'Anna ◽  
Maurizio Schmid ◽  
Andrea Scorza ◽  
Salvatore A. Sciuto ◽  
Luisa Lopez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Postural Stability ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Boundary Function ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Upright Stance ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Background: The development of postural control across the primary school time horizon is a complex process, which entails biomechanics modifications, the maturation of cognitive ability and sensorimotor organization, and the emergence of anticipatory behaviour. Postural stability in upright stance has been thus object of a multiplicity of studies to better characterize postural control in this age span, with a variety of methodological approaches. The analysis of the Time-to-Boundary function (TtB), which specifies the spatiotemporal proximity of the Centre of Pressure (CoP) to the stability boundaries in the regulation of posture in upright stance, is among the techniques used to better characterize postural stability in adults, but, as of now, it has not yet been introduced in developmental studies. The aim of this study was thus to apply this technique to evaluate the development of postural control in a sample population of primary school children. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, upright stance trials under eyes open and eyes closed were administered to 107 healthy children, divided into three age groups (41 for Seven Years' Group, Y7; 38 for Nine Years' Group, Y9; 28 for Eleven Years' Group, Y11). CoP data were recorded to calculate the Time-to-Boundary function (TtB), from which four spatio-temporal parameters were extracted: the mean value and the standard deviation of TtB minima (Mmin, Stdmin), and the mean value and the standard deviation of the temporal distance between two successive minima (Mdist, Stddist). Results: With eyes closed, Mmin and Stdmin significantly decreased and Mdist and Stddist increased for the Y7 group, at Y9 Mmin significantly decreased and Stddist increased, while no effect of vision resulted for Y11. Regarding age groups, Mmin was significantly higher for Y9 than Y7, and Stdmin for Y9 was higher than both Y7 and Y11; Mdist and Stddist resulted higher for Y11 than for Y9. Conclusion: From the combined results from the spatio-temporal TtB parameters, it is suggested that, at 9 years, children look more efficient in terms of exploring their limits of stability than at 7, and at 11 the observed TtB behaviour hints at the possibility that, at that age, they have almost completed the maturation of postural control in upright stance, also in terms of integration of the spatio-temporal information.

scholarly journals Postural Control and Stress Exposure in Young Men: Changes in Cortisol Awakening Response and Blood Lactate

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 7222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marinella Coco ◽  
Andrea Buscemi ◽  
Emanuele Pennisi ◽  
Paolo Cavallari ◽  
Giacomo Papotto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Blood Lactate ◽  
Postural Stability ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Posture Control ◽  
Cortisol Awakening Response ◽  
Free Cortisol ◽  
Lactate Levels ◽  
Blood Lactate Levels

Background: It has recently been noticed that the quantity of stress affects postural stability in young women. The study was conducted with the goal of investigating whether increased stress may damagingly effect posture control in 90 young men (71 right-handed and 19 left-handed) while maintaining an upright bipedal posture, while keeping their eyes open or closed. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was administered and changes in free cortisol levels were monitored (Cortisol Awakening Response, CAR) in order to evaluate the amount of stress present during awakening, while the Profile of Mood States (POMS) was used to estimate distress on the whole. Posture control was evaluated with the use of a force platform, which, while computing a confidence ellipse area of 95%, was engaged by the Center of Pressure through five stability stations and was sustained for a minimum of 52 s, with and without visual input. Another goal of the experiment was to find out whether or not cortisol increases in CAR were linked with rises of blood lactate levels. Results: CAR, PSS and POMS were found to be extensively related. Furthermore, it has been observed that increases in salivary cortisol in CAR are associated with small but significant increases in blood lactate levels. As expected, stress levels did affect postural stability. Conclusions: The results of the present study confirm that the level of stress can influence postural stability, and that this influence is principally obvious when visual information is not used in postural control.

scholarly journals Characteristics of Standing Postural Control in Women under Additional Load

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 490
Author(s):  
Bożena Wojciechowska-Maszkowska ◽  
Dorota Borzucka
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Postural Stability ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Stability Control ◽  
Standing Posture ◽  
Additional Load ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Heavy Loads ◽  
Load Conditions

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of additional load on postural-stability control in young women. To evaluate postural control in the 34 women in this study (mean age, 20.8 years), we measured postural sway (center of pressure, COP) in a neutral stance (with eyes open) in three trials of 30 s each. Three load conditions were used in the study: 0, 14, and 30 kg. In analysis, we used three COP parameters, variability (linear), mean sway velocity (linear), and entropy (nonlinear). Results suggested that a considerable load on a young woman’s body (approximately 48% of body weight) had significant influence on stability. Specifically, heavy loads triggered random movements, increased the dynamics of postural-stability control, and required more attention to control standing posture. The results of our study indicate that inferior postural control mainly results from insufficient experience in lifting such a load.

scholarly journals The clinical utility of using involuntary eye movements to assess concussion

Neurology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 91 (23 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S10.1-S10
Author(s):  
Heeter Kathleen ◽  
Jacob Thayer ◽  
Port Nicholas
Keyword(s):  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Athletic Department ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Local Schools ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Balance Board ◽  
Pressure Measure

Critical decisions are made daily about whether to bench athletes who might have suffered a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The low-level damage underlying mTBI has been difficult to measure, especially during competition when assessments are made quickly utilizing primarily subjective symptoms. The ideal instrument would be (1) sensitive to low-level diffuse damage, (2) easily and rapidly administered on the sidelines, and (3) unaffected by human bias or sandbagged baselines. Based on a body of research documenting the sensitivity of oculomotor movements (e.g., saccades and smooth pursuits) to mTBI damage, we have constructed 5 Sideline Eye Trackers and are evaluating their clinical use for quick, objective and accurate assessment of mTBI. Current enrollment of athletes is over 1,200, including the entire IU athletic department and several local schools. All enrollees complete a 6-minute, pre-season, baseline oculomotor exam consisting of 2 saccade, 2 pursuit, and 1 ocular following task. Balance is simultaneously measured using a portable balance board. Anyone suspected by the team physician of having a concussion during the season repeats this exam 3 additional times: (1) immediately post-injury (minutes), (2) at the time of being cleared for return-to-play, and (3) as far post-injury as possible (months). To provide 2 separate measures of test-retest variability, 2 control groups are also being studied: (1) within-sport non-concussed matched control group, and (2) non-concussion prone cross-country athletes. Athletes with mTBI show significant deficits in both saccadic and pursuit function compared to their baseline (p = 0.0001). Drift in the center of pressure measure (balance) is also significantly affected in many subjects. Signal detection theory yields a specificity & sensitivity of greater than 85% of 69 concussed athletes. Measuring oculomotor dysfunction in athletes with a 6-minute task may be a promising tool for the diagnosis and management of mTBI.

scholarly journals Center of pressure-based postural sway differences on parallel and single leg stance in Olympic deaf basketball and volleyball players

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 418-427
Author(s):  
Yücel Makaracı ◽  
Recep Soslu ◽  
Ömer Özer ◽  
Abdullah Uysal
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Postural Stability ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Basketball Players ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Single Leg Stance ◽  
Volleyball Players

In sports such as basketball and volleyball, loss of balance due to the inability to maintain body stability and lack of postural control adversely affect athletic performance. Deaf athletes appear to struggle with balance and postural stability problems. The purpose of this study was to examine postural sway values in parallel and single leg stance of Olympic deaf basketball and volleyball players and reveal differences between the branches. Twenty-three male athletes from the Turkish national deaf basketball (n= 11) and volleyball (n= 12) teams participated in the study. After anthropometric measurements, the subjects completed postural sway (PS) tests in parallel/single leg stances with open eyes and closed eyes on a force plate. PS parameters (sway path, velocity, and area) obtained from the device software were used for the statistical analysis. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare differences in PS parameters between basketball and volleyball players, and the alpha value was accepted as 0.05. Volleyball players had significantly better results in parallel stance and dominant leg PS values than basketball players (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in nondominant leg PS values (P>0.05). We think that proprioceptive and vestibular system enhancing training practices to be performed with stability exercises will be beneficial in terms of both promoting functional stability and interlimb coordination. Trainers and strength coaches should be aware of differences in the postural control mechanism of deaf athletes.

scholarly journals Relationship between postural control in upright stance and virtual reality in post-stroke individuals

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Paulo Paes ◽  
Alaércio Perotti Junior ◽  
Ana Maria Forti Barela ◽  
José Angelo Barela
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Mean Amplitude ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Upright Stance ◽  
Nintendo Wii ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Time Required

Abstract Introduction: Considered the second leading cause of death worldwide, stroke leads to several consequences resulting from the injury in regions responsible for the processing of sensorimotor information, leading to deficits in the maintenance and performance of postural control. Objective: To relate the performance of postural control during upright stance and a virtual reality task in post-stroke individuals. Method: Nine post-stroke individuals, aged 30 to 76 years, characterized by the Berg balance scale, Fugl - Meyer scale and Mini Mental State Examination participated in this study. Postural performance was measured by the center of pressure under bipedal conditions, in anteroposterior and mediolateral directions and unipedal with the affected and unaffected sides, using a force platform. Virtual reality performance was measured by distance and time required to perform a task in the Nintendo Wii®. Results: Revealed significant correlations between distance and displacement time of the affected side (distance x disc_affected = 0.667 | p = 0.025; time x disc_affected = 0.683 | p = 0.021) and between variables time and mean amplitude of mediolateral oscillation (time x amo_ml = -0.733 | p = 0.012), time and mediolateral and anteroposterior mean velocity (time x vm_ml = -0.617 | p = 0.038; time x vm_ap = -0.833 | p = 0.003) and between time and area (time x area = -0.633 | p = 0.034). Conclusion: the performance of standing postural control in post-stroke individuals, represented by measures of weight discharge and variables of postural control, presented a significant relation with the variables of virtual reality.

scholarly journals Virtual-Reality-Induced Visual Perturbations Impact Postural Control System Behavior

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harish Chander ◽  
Sachini N. K. Kodithuwakku Arachchige ◽  
Christopher M. Hill ◽  
Alana J. Turner ◽  
Shuchisnigdha Deb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Control System ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Postural Stability ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Postural Control System ◽  
Postural Responses ◽  
The Impact

Background: Virtual reality (VR) is becoming a widespread tool in rehabilitation, especially for postural stability. However, the impact of using VR in a “moving wall paradigm” (visual perturbation), specifically without and with anticipation of the perturbation, is unknown. Methods: Nineteen healthy subjects performed three trials of static balance testing on a force plate under three different conditions: baseline (no perturbation), unexpected VR perturbation, and expected VR perturbation. The statistical analysis consisted of a 1 × 3 repeated-measures ANOVA to test for differences in the center of pressure (COP) displacement, 95% ellipsoid area, and COP sway velocity. Results: The expected perturbation rendered significantly lower (p < 0.05) COP displacements and 95% ellipsoid area compared to the unexpected condition. A significantly higher (p < 0.05) sway velocity was also observed in the expected condition compared to the unexpected condition. Conclusions: Postural stability was lowered during unexpected visual perturbations compared to both during baseline and during expected visual perturbations, suggesting that conflicting visual feedback induced postural instability due to compensatory postural responses. However, during expected visual perturbations, significantly lowered postural sway displacement and area were achieved by increasing the sway velocity, suggesting the occurrence of postural behavior due to anticipatory postural responses. Finally, the study also concluded that VR could be used to induce different postural responses by providing visual perturbations to the postural control system, which can subsequently be used as an effective and low-cost tool for postural stability training and rehabilitation.

scholarly journals Time-of-day influence on the stability Evaluation Test in college-age women

Neurology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 91 (23 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S16.2-S16
Author(s):  
Brandon Doan ◽  
Jeff Pasley ◽  
Tiffany Rodriguez ◽  
Katherine Valencia ◽  
Tim Tolbert
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Order Effects ◽  
Stability Evaluation ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Evaluation Test ◽  
The Stability

Postural control is impaired following a concussion and is 1 diagnostic method used by medical professionals for return-to-play decisions in potentially concussed athletes. Circadian rhythm (time-of-day) affects human function, including postural control. This research investigated time-of-day influence on 1 postural control diagnostic protocol, the Stability Evaluation Test (SET) on a Neurocom Balance Master. The Georgia Gwinnett College Institutional Review Board approved this research protocol. The research participants were 9 healthy women with an average age of 20.4 years, height of 165.8 cm, and weight of 65.3 kg. The participants completed the SET in the morning (between 7:00 am and 10:00 am) for 1 treatment and in the evening (between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm) for the other treatment. A SET familiarization session was completed, and treatment order was randomized and balanced to attempt to account for order effects. Average postural sway velocity for each of the 6 SET conditions were compared between times of day. There was less postural sway during the morning testing for all conditions, reaching statistical significance (p < 0.05) for 2 of the more challenging balance conditions (Foam Double Leg and Foam Tandem) as well as for the overall SET composite score. While greater sample size, age and gender range are needed, these results may begin to inform practitioners as to the importance of controlling time-of-day between baseline and post-injury testing which may enable more accurate and reliable return-to-play decisions.

The Effects of Acute and Long-Term Whole-Body Vibration Training on the Postural Control During Cognitive Task in Patients With Chronic Ankle Instability

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Seyed Abolfazl Tohidast ◽  
Rasool Bagheri ◽  
Ziaeddin Safavi-Farokhi ◽  
Mohammad Khaleghi Hashemian ◽  
Cyrus Taghizadeh Delkhosh
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Postural Stability ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Ankle Instability ◽  
Lateral Displacement ◽  
Whole Body Vibration ◽  
Chronic Ankle Instability ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Body Vibration ◽  
The Mean

Context: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common problem associated with impaired postural stability. Whole-body vibration (WBV) has been developed to improve muscle function and reportedly improves postural stability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 12 sessions of WBV on postural control during standing postural task in participants with CAI. Design: A controlled clinical trial study. Methods: Sixteen participants with CAI and 16 healthy participants aged between 20 and 40 years included in this study. They received WBV (30-Hz frequency, 3 series of four 45-s exercises with a 45-s rest) for a total of 12 sessions, 2 session per week for 6 weeks. Postural control was assessed by center of pressure (COP) parameters, including mean and SD in the anterior–posterior and medial–lateral displacement during single-leg standing. Assessments were done before and immediately after the first session and after the 12th session of WBV, with opened and closed eyes associated with easy and difficult cognitive tasks. Results: The results showed that the SD of COP displacement in the x-axis was significant in eyes opened and SD of COP displacement in the x- and y-axes were significant between groups in the eyes-opened, and eyes-closed conditions (P < .05). Analysis of variance indicated that the effect of WBV training was significant for the mean of COP displacement in the y-axis. Post hoc indicated that the effect of 12 sessions of WBV on the mean of COP displacement was significant in the CAI group (P < .05). However, the acute effect of WBV was not significant on the COP displacement in all axes (P > .05). Conclusion: Higher postural sway associated with postural cognitive interactions might be considered in the rehabilitation of CAI. Twelve sessions of WBV might induce some improvement in postural control with the method of WBV used in this study.

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