scholarly journals Cortical reorganization to improve dynamic balance control with error amplification feedback

Author(s):  
Yi-Ching Chen ◽  
Yi-Ying Tsai ◽  
Gwo-Ching Chang ◽  
Ing-Shiou Hwang

Abstract Background Error amplification (EA), virtually magnify task errors in visual feedback, is a potential neurocognitive approach to facilitate motor performance. With regional activities and inter-regional connectivity of electroencephalography (EEG), this study investigated underlying cortical mechanisms associated with improvement of postural balance using EA. Methods Eighteen healthy young participants maintained postural stability on a stabilometer, guided by two visual feedbacks (error amplification (EA) vs. real error (RE)), while stabilometer plate movement and scalp EEG were recorded. Plate dynamics, including root mean square (RMS), sample entropy (SampEn), and mean frequency (MF) were used to characterize behavioral strategies. Regional cortical activity and inter-regional connectivity of EEG sub-bands were characterized to infer neural control with relative power and phase-lag index (PLI), respectively. Results In contrast to RE, EA magnified the errors in the visual feedback to twice its size during stabilometer stance. The results showed that EA led to smaller RMS of postural fluctuations with greater SampEn and MF than RE did. Compared with RE, EA altered cortical organizations with greater regional powers in the mid-frontal cluster (theta, 4–7 Hz), occipital cluster (alpha, 8–12 Hz), and left temporal cluster (beta, 13–35 Hz). In terms of the phase-lag index of EEG between electrode pairs, EA significantly reduced long-range prefrontal-parietal and prefrontal-occipital connectivity of the alpha/beta bands, and the right tempo-parietal connectivity of the theta/alpha bands. Alternatively, EA augmented the fronto-centro-parietal connectivity of the theta/alpha bands, along with the right temporo-frontal and temporo-parietal connectivity of the beta band. Conclusion EA alters postural strategies to improve stance stability on a stabilometer with visual feedback, attributable to enhanced error processing and attentional release for target localization. This study provides supporting neural correlates for the use of virtual reality with EA during balance training.

2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arezoo Eshraghi ◽  
Nader Maroufi ◽  
Mohammad Ali Sanjari ◽  
Hassan Saeedi ◽  
Mohammad Reza Keyhani ◽  
...  

Background: Biomechanical factors, such as spinal deformities can result in balance control disorders. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of bracing on static and dynamic balance control of hyperkyphotic female adolescents. Study Design: Clinical trial. Methods: A force platform was employed to record center of pressure (COP) parameters. Ten adolescents undergoing Milwaukee brace for hyperkyphosis and 14 normal subjects participated in the study. The COP data were collected with and without brace immediately on first day and after 120 days of continuous brace wear. Results: No significant difference was found in dynamic and static balance tests with and without brace on the first day ( P > 0.05). After 120 days, the values of COP displacement in functional reach to the right and left for the hyperkyphotic adolescents when performing without brace enhanced significantly compared to the first day. The forward reach distance was not significantly different between the normal and hyperkyphotic subjects ( P = 0.361); however, hyperkyphotic participants had significantly smaller reach distance in the functional reach to the right (21.88 vs. 25.56cm) and left (17.04 vs. 21.25cm). Conclusion: It might be concluded that bracing had a possible effect on improvement of dynamic balance performance, because the subjects could reach the target in dynamic reach tests with higher displacement in sagittal plane without losing their balance control. Clinical relevance Little is known about the biomechanical aspects of brace wear in individuals with hyperkyphosis. This study investigated balance differences between the healthy and hyperkyphotic individuals, and outcomes of Milwaukee brace wear. It might provide some new insight into the conservative treatment of hyperkyphosis for clinicians and researchers.


Author(s):  
Tyler Fettrow ◽  
Stephen DiBianca ◽  
Fernando Vanderlinde dos Santos ◽  
Hendrik Reimann ◽  
John Jeka

AbstractHumans need to actively control their upright posture during walking to avoid loss of balance. We do not have a comprehensive theory for how humans regulate balance during walking, especially in complex environments. Balance must be maintained in a variety of contexts including crowded city side-walks, rocky nature trails, walks on the beach, or fast-paced sporting events. The nervous system must process many aspects of the environment to produce an appropriate motor output in order to maintain balance on two legs. We have previously identified three balance mechanisms that young healthy adults use to maintain balance while walking: 1) The ankle roll mechanism, a modulation of ankle inversion/eversion; 2) The foot placement mechanism, a shift of the swing foot placement; and 3) The push-off mechanism, a modulation of the ankle plantarflexion angle during double stance. We know that these mechanisms are interdependent and can be influenced by internal factors such as the phase of the gait cycle and walking cadence. Here we seek to determine whether there are changes in neural control of balance when walking in the presence of environmental constraints. Subjects walked on a selfpaced treadmill while immersed in a virtual environment that provides three different colored pathways. Subjects were instructed not to step in the No-Step Zone, which appeared either on the right or left side of the subject. While walking, subjects received balance perturbations in the form of galvanic vestibular stimulation, providing the sensation of falling sideways, either toward the No-Step zone or toward the Neutral zone on the other side. The results indicate that the use of the balance mechanisms are subtly altered depending on whether the perceived fall is toward the No-Step or the Neutral zone. This experiment provides further evidence that the balance control system during walking is extremely flexible, recruiting multiple mechanisms at different times in the gait cycle to adapt to environmental constraints.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 205566831986213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Wan ◽  
Jennifer L Davies ◽  
Kate Button ◽  
Mohammad Al-Amri

Introduction Visual feedback is an effective method to enhance postural and balance control in clinical and sports training. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of real-time visual feedback provided by a video camera on the performance of a dynamic balance test, which is the star excursion balance test in healthy subjects. Methods We compared the performance of the star excursion balance test using the maximum reach distance in 20 healthy participants (10 male and 10 female, 26.8 ± 3.7 years) under two conditions: without feedback and whilst they viewed their movements in real-time on a screen in front of them via a video camera. Results The results showed that real-time visual feedback had a significant effect on maximum reach distance of the star excursion balance test in the posterolateral direction (P < 0.001). There was a non-significant increase in the maximum reach distance in the anterior and posteromedial directions. Conclusion The result indicates that the real-time visual feedback appears to be an effective means for improving the performance of the star excursion balance test in the posterolateral direction, and may be a promising tool for clinical rehabilitation and athlete training to enhance dynamic postural control.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-186
Author(s):  
Ewa Dziuba ◽  
Justyna Drzał-Grabiec ◽  
Aleksandra Truszczyńska-Baszak ◽  
Katarzyna Guzek ◽  
Katarzyna Zajkiewicz

SummaryStudy aim: Premature birth is one of the major problems of obstetrics, leading to numerous complications that are associated with prematurity, for instance balance disorders. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of premature birth on the ability to maintain balance in children commencing their school education. Material and methods: The study included children aged 6-7 years. The study group consisted of 59 children (31 girls and 28 boys, mean age 6.38 ± SD 0.73) born prematurely between 24 and 35 weeks of gestation. The control group consisted of 61 children (28 girls and 33 boys, mean age 6.42 ± 0.58) born at term. The research utilized standardized test tools - one-leg open-eyed and closed-eyed standing test, one-leg jumping test - and an original questionnaire survey. Results: The children born at term achieved better results in the majority of tests. The comparison of girls and boys born pre­maturely and at term showed no statistically significant difference between them in terms of dynamic balance, static balance or total balance control. The comparison of the tests performed on the right and left lower limb in prematurely born children showed no statistically significant differences. Conclusion: Premature birth affects the ability to maintain body balance. The results of the study indicate the need to develop coordination skills that shape body balance in prematurely born children.


2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 698-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric R. Walker ◽  
Allison S. Hyngstrom ◽  
Brian D. Schmit

2014 ◽  
Vol 945-949 ◽  
pp. 777-780
Author(s):  
Tao Liu ◽  
Yong Xu ◽  
Bo Yuan Mao

Firstly, according to the structure characteristics of precision centrifuge, the mathematical model of its dynamic balancing system was set up, and the dynamic balancing scheme of double test surfaces, double emendation surfaces were established. Then the dynamic balance system controller of precision centrifuge was designed. Simulation results show that the controller designed can completely meet the requirements of precision centrifuge dynamic balance control system.


Author(s):  
David P. Fernandez ◽  
Daria J. Kuss ◽  
Mark D. Griffiths

AbstractA growing number of individuals using online forums are attempting to abstain from pornography (colloquially termed “rebooting”) due to self-perceived pornography-related problems. The present qualitative study explored phenomenological experiences of abstinence among members of an online “rebooting” forum. A total of 104 abstinence journals by male forum members were systematically analyzed using thematic analysis. A total of four themes (with a total of nine subthemes) emerged from the data: (1) abstinence is the solution to pornography-related problems, (2) sometimes abstinence seems impossible, (3) abstinence is achievable with the right resources, and (4) abstinence is rewarding if persisted with. Members’ primary reasons for initiating “rebooting” involved desiring to overcome a perceived addiction to pornography and/or alleviate perceived negative consequences attributed to pornography use, especially sexual difficulties. Successfully achieving and maintaining abstinence was typically experienced to be very challenging due to habitual behavior patterns and/or cravings triggered by a multiplicity of cues for pornography use, but a combination of internal (e.g., cognitive-behavioral strategies) and external (e.g., social support) resources made abstinence attainable for many members. A range of benefits attributed to abstinence by members suggest that abstaining from pornography could potentially be a beneficial intervention for problematic pornography use, although future prospective studies are needed to rule out possible third variable explanations for these perceived effects and to rigorously evaluate abstinence as an intervention. The present findings shed light on what the “rebooting” experience is like from members’ own perspectives and provide insights into abstinence as an approach for addressing problematic pornography use.


Author(s):  
Koen Andre Horstink ◽  
Lucas Henricus Vincentius van der Woude ◽  
Juha Markus Hijmans

AbstractPatients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) usually have reduced somatosensory information and altered perception in feet and ankles. Somatosensory information acts as feedback for movement control and loss of somatosensation leads to altered plantar pressure patterns during gait and stance. Offloading devices are used to reduce peak plantar pressure and prevent diabetic foot ulcers. However, offloading devices can unfortunately have negative effects on static and dynamic balance. It is important to investigate these unwanted effects, since patient with DPN already are at high risk of falling and offloading devices could potentially increase this risk. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the effects of plantar offloading devices used for ulcer prevention on their role in static and dynamic balance control in patients with DPN. PubMed and Embase were systematically searched using relevant search terms. After title selection, abstract selection, and full-text selection only five articles could be included for further analysis. Two articles included static balance measurements, two articles included dynamic balance measurements, and one article included both. Results suggested that static balance control is reduced when rocker bottom shoes and different insole configurations are used, however, toe-only rockers showed less evidence for reduced static balance control. There was no evidence for reduced dynamic balance control in combination with offloading devices. However, these results should be interpreted with care, since the number of studies was very small and the quality of the studies was moderate. Future research should evaluate balance in combination with different offloading devices, so that clinicians subscribing them are more aware of their potential unwanted consequences.


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