scholarly journals Motor synergies research in physical therapy: advantages of the uncontrolled manifold approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Virgínia Vaz
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Movement Control ◽  
Uncontrolled Manifold ◽  
Clinical Activity ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Literature Research ◽  
Performance Variables ◽  
Motor Synergies ◽  
Life Tasks

ABSTRACT Movement is central to physical therapy identity and practice. Advances in the science of movement control, motor learning and development are thus inextricably tied to professional development and clinical activity. This paper aims to describe a prominent approach to motor control with potential to greatly advance the understanding of movement dysfunction: the uncontrolled manifold (UCM). An argument is formulated for incorporating this method of data analysis in rehabilitation research. It is a narrative review of the relevant literature. Research in physical therapy could greatly benefit from investigating synergies with the theory and methods of UCM. Research should seek connections between functioning in daily life tasks and the assembling of synergies to stabilize different performance variables, the UCM variability measures, the synergy strength indexes, and the anticipatory synergy adjustments. Changes in these synergy variables should also be quantified after rehabilitation interventions. UCM can offer one solid science-based approach to inform clinical decisions on whether synergies have to be broken, rebalanced, created, or reinforced in patients with movement dysfunction.

scholarly journals Postural Synergies and Their Development

2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 119-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark L. Latash ◽  
Vijaya Krishnamoorthy ◽  
John P. Scholz ◽  
Vladimir M. Zatsiorsky
Keyword(s):  
Uncontrolled Manifold ◽  
Motor Tasks ◽  
Performance Variables ◽  
Motor Synergies ◽  
Motor Abundance ◽  
Motor Practice ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Postural Perturbations ◽  
Postural Synergies

The recent developments of a particular approach to analyzing motor synergies based on the principle of motor abundance has allowed a quantitative assessment of multieffector coordination in motor tasks involving anticipatory adjustments to self-triggered postural perturbations and in voluntary posturalsway. This approach, the uncontrolled manifold (UCM) hypothesis, is based on an assumption that the central nervous system organizes covariation of elemental variables to stabilize important performance variables in a task-specific manner. In particular, this approach has been used to demonstrate and to assess the emergence of synergies and their modification with motor practice in typical persons and persons with Down syndrome. The framework of the UCM hypothesis allows the formulation of testable hypotheses with respect to developing postural synergies in typically and atypically developing persons.

scholarly journals Equifinality and its violations in a redundant system: multifinger accurate force production

2013 ◽  
Vol 110 (8) ◽  
pp. 1965-1973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Wilhelm ◽  
Vladimir M. Zatsiorsky ◽  
Mark L. Latash
Keyword(s):  
Force Production ◽  
Uncontrolled Manifold ◽  
Total Force ◽  
Redundant System ◽  
Uncontrolled Manifold Hypothesis ◽  
Final State ◽  
Performance Variables ◽  
Force Mode ◽  
Finger Forces ◽  
The Individual

We explored a hypothesis that transient perturbations applied to a redundant system result in equifinality in the space of task-related performance variables but not in the space of elemental variables. The subjects pressed with four fingers and produced an accurate constant total force level. The “inverse piano” device was used to lift and lower one of the fingers smoothly. The subjects were instructed “not to intervene voluntarily” with possible force changes. Analysis was performed in spaces of finger forces and finger modes (hypothetical neural commands to fingers) as elemental variables. Lifting a finger led to an increase in its force and a decrease in the forces of the other three fingers; the total force increased. Lowering the finger back led to a drop in the force of the perturbed finger. At the final state, the sum of the variances of finger forces/modes computed across repetitive trials was significantly higher than the variance of the total force/mode. Most variance of the individual finger force/mode changes between the preperturbation and postperturbation states was compatible with constant total force. We conclude that a transient perturbation applied to a redundant system leads to relatively small variance in the task-related performance variable (equifinality), whereas in the space of elemental variables much more variance occurs that does not lead to total force changes. We interpret the results within a general theoretical scheme that incorporates the ideas of hierarchically organized control, control with referent configurations, synergic control, and the uncontrolled manifold hypothesis.

scholarly journals The Bouzouki’s Signifiers and Significance Through the Zeibekiko Dance Song: "Evdokia’s Zeibekiko"

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (35) ◽  
pp. 125
Author(s):  
Evangelos Saragatsis ◽  
Ifigeneia Vamvakidou
Keyword(s):  
Representative Sample ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Musical Instrument ◽  
Semiotic Analysis ◽  
Literature Research ◽  
Symbolic Value ◽  
Characteristic Features ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The One

The objective of this study is to identify the signifiers and significance of the Zeibekiko dance, and those of the bouzouki itself, to a further extent, as they emerge through research conducted in the relevant literature, and which is anchored to those signifiers, as they are highlighted through their presence in material that is obtained from movies. The semiotic analysis of the film “Evdokia”, by A. Damianos (1971), is the research method that is followed. In this context, the main focus is placed on the episode/scene, where Evdokia’s Zeibekiko is displayed on stage. This ‘polytropic’ (polymodal) material that consists of listening to, viewing, playing music, and dancing encompasses a large variety of musicological and gender signifiers that refer to the specific era. The model followed is that of Greimas (1996), as it was used by Lagopoulos & Boklund-Lagopoulou (2016), and Christodoulou (2012), in order to point out those characteristic features that are expressed by the bouzouki, as a musical instrument, through a representative sample of the zeibekiko dance, as it is illustrated in the homonymous film. The analysis of images, as well as of the language message, lead to the emergence of codes, such as the one referring to the gender, and also the symbolic, value, and social codes, and it is found that all these codes agree with the introductory literature research conducted on the zeibekiko dance and the bouzouki. Based on the combination of these approaches to the analysis performed, a number of elements can be clearly identified, such as the dancer’s masculinity, the loneliness that characterizes the dance, the values adhered to and the respect shown to the codes of honor, and all these elements confirm the initial literature research conducted on the zeibekiko dance, and by extent, the fact that the bouzouki expresses all the above characteristics.

scholarly journals Multidirectional Shoulder Instability: Treatment

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 812-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Angel Ruiz Ibán ◽  
Jorge Díaz Heredia ◽  
Miguel García Navlet ◽  
Francisco Serrano ◽  
María Santos Oliete
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Conservative Treatment ◽  
Conservative Management ◽  
Shoulder Instability ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Anatomical Variations ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Multidirectional Instability ◽  
Capsular Plication ◽  
Arthroscopic Capsular Plication

Background: The treatment of multidirectional instability of the shoulder is complex. The surgeon should have a clear understanding of the role of hiperlaxity, anatomical variations, muscle misbalance and possible traumatic incidents in each patient. Methods: A review of the relevant literature was performed including indexed journals in English and Spanish. The review was focused in both surgical and conservative management of multidirectional shoulder instability. Results: Most patients with multidirectional instability will be best served with a period of conservative management with physical therapy; this should focus in restoring strength and balance of the dynamic stabilizers of the shoulder. The presence of a significant traumatic incident, anatomic alterations and psychological problems are widely considered to be poor prognostic factors for conservative treatment. Patients who do not show a favorable response after 3 months of conservative treatment seem to get no benefit from further physical therapy. When conservative treatment fails, a surgical intervention is warranted. Both open capsular shift and arthroscopic capsular plication are considered to be the treatment of choice in these patients and have similar outcomes. Thermal or laser capsuloraphy is no longer recommended. Conclusion: Multidirectional instability is a complex problem. Conservative management with focus on strengthening and balancing of the dynamic shoulder stabilizers is the first alternative. Some patients will fare poorly and require either open or arthroscopic capsular plication.

scholarly journals Retraining in a Female Elite Rower with Persistent Symptoms Post-Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome: A Proof-of-Concept Case Report

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Mottram ◽  
Martin Warner ◽  
Nadine Booysen ◽  
Katie Bahain-Steenman ◽  
Maria Stokes
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Movement Control ◽  
Control Test ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Elite Rower ◽  
Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome ◽  
Hip Flexion

Athletes with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) managed arthroscopically do not always return to sport. Inability to control back/pelvis, hip and lower limb movements may contribute to the onset and recurrence of symptoms. Our hypothesis is that results from a battery of cognitive movement control tests can inform a cognitive movement control (neuromuscular) retraining programme for improving the clinical presentation and quality of life in an athlete with FAIS. This case report presents a female elite rower with persistent left-sided anterior hip pain, four years post-arthroscopic surgery for FAIS, whose symptoms failed to respond to conventional physical therapy. Hip and groin outcome score (HAGOS), passive and active hip flexion range of motion (ROM) workload (time training on water), hip and pelvic kinematics (3-D motion analysis) and electromyography during a seated hip flexion movement control test, and a movement control test battery to identify movement control impairments (The Foundation Matrix), were assessed pre-intervention (week 0) and immediately post-intervention (week 16). Impaired movement control was targeted in a tailored 16-week cognitive movement control retraining exercise program. All measures improved: HAGOS (all 6 sub-scales); symptoms (61/100 pre-training to 96/100 post-training); physical activities participation (13/100 to 75/100); and active hip flexion ROM increased (78 to 116 and 98 to 118 degrees, respectively); workload increased from 4 to 18 h/week; and movement control impairment reduced (25/50 to 9/50). Pelvic motion on kinematic analysis were altered, and delayed activation onset of tensor fascia latae and rectus femoris muscles reduced. This proof-of-concept case report supports the hypothesis that cognitive movement control tests can inform a targeted cognitive movement control retraining program to improve symptoms, function and quality of life, in an elite rower with persistent hip pain. This training offers an alternative approach to conventional physical therapy, which has failed to restore function in FAIS, and the present study illustrates how specific cognitive movement control assessment can direct individual training programmes.

scholarly journals Visual feedback improves bimanual force control performances at planning and execution levels

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun Joon Kim ◽  
Joon Ho Lee ◽  
Nyeonju Kang ◽  
James H. Cauraugh
Keyword(s):  
Visual Feedback ◽  
Force Control ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Uncontrolled Manifold ◽  
Force Variability ◽  
Motor Synergies ◽  
Multiple Trials ◽  
Motor Synergy ◽  
Force Accuracy

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different visual conditions and targeted force levels on bilateral motor synergies and bimanual force control performances. Fourteen healthy young participants performed bimanual isometric force control tasks by extending their wrists and fingers under two visual feedback conditions (i.e., vision and no-vision) and three targeted force levels (i.e., 5%, 25%, and 50% of maximum voluntary contraction: MVC). To estimate bilateral motor synergies across multiple trials, we calculated the proportion of good variability relative to bad variability using an uncontrolled manifold analysis. To assess bimanual force control performances within a trial, we used the accuracy, variability, and regularity of total forces produced by two hands. Further, analysis included correlation coefficients between forces from the left and right hands. In addition, we examined the correlations between altered bilateral motor synergies and force control performances from no-vision to vision conditions for each targeted force level. Importantly, our findings revealed that the presence of visual feedback increased bilateral motor synergies across multiple trials significantly with a reduction of bad variability as well as improved bimanual force control performances within a trial based on higher force accuracy, lower force variability, less force regularity, and decreased correlation coefficients between hands. Further, we found two significant correlations in (a) increased bilateral motor synergy versus higher force accuracy at 5% of MVC and (b) increased bilateral motor synergy versus lower force variability at 50% of MVC. Together, these results suggested that visual feedback effectively improved both synergetic coordination behaviors across multiple trials and stability of task performance within a trial across various submaximal force levels.

scholarly journals Learning Preferences among Medical and Physical Therapy Students: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (01) ◽  
pp. 46-53
Author(s):  
Sarwat Ali ◽  
Ashfaq Ahmad ◽  
Arooj Munawar ◽  
Muhammad Waqas
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Learning Styles ◽  
Learning Style ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Learning Preferences ◽  
Physical Therapy Students ◽  
Allied Health Students ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Assessment Strategies

Learning style is known as affective, cognitive, physiological, or combined characteristics which indicate the ways through which students interact, respond and understand the learning environment. A systematic review was conducted with relevant literature from 2012 to 2021 by hand searching and from electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, ProQuest, and Eric) with proper search strategy as Boolean operator. They were searched using the keywords ‘allied health students’ ‘learning style’, ‘medical students’, ‘MBBS students’ and ‘physical therapy students OR physiotherapists’. Out of 1027 studies, only 16 potentially relevant articles were included in this review. This study reflected undergraduate physical therapy and MBBS students from various countries and their most preferred learning style is kinaesthetic and activist which states learning is based on experiments, hands-on practice, audio-visual lectures, teaching sessions in a new environment allowing students to analyze and synthesize theories. However, students require adaptable, educative, and assessment strategies as they have different learning styles.

scholarly journals THE USE OF CATEGORIES AS INDICATORS OF ORGANIZATIONAL CLIMATE IN BRAZILIAN COMPANIES

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Souza Dutra ◽  
André Luiz Fischer ◽  
Lina Eiko Nakata ◽  
Julio Cesar Rodrigues Pereira ◽  
Elza Fátima Rosa Veloso
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Organizational Behavior ◽  
Organizational Climate ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Learning And Development

In order to analyze employees’ perception of the work environment, companies with a well-established people management structure periodically conduct organizational climate surveys. These surveys are meant to offer an understanding of how employees view the quality of the relationships they experience in the company. One of the characteristics of this type of survey, identified both in the relevant literature and empirically in practice, is the use of categories or indicators to direct development of the research instrument, data analysis, and later intervention as needed according to the results of the survey. This article seeks to propose a categorization of organizational climate dimensions directed at the Brazilian corporate reality, analysing its internal consistency and its construct validity. To that end, we used the results of a wide-ranging data sample collected from 123,445 respondents of 491 organizations in various regions of Brazil. The proposed analysis categories – identity, satisfaction and motivation, learning and development, and leadership – were reviewed based on theories of organizational behavior and then submitted to a focus group composed of human resources professionals employed by prominent Brazilian corporations.

scholarly journals Visual Feedback Improves Bimanual Force Control Performances at Planning and Execution Levels

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun Joon Kim ◽  
Joon Ho Lee ◽  
Nyeonju Kang ◽  
James H. Cauraugh
Keyword(s):  
Visual Feedback ◽  
Force Control ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Uncontrolled Manifold ◽  
Motor Synergies ◽  
Uncontrolled Manifold Analysis ◽  
Multiple Trials ◽  
Coordination Patterns

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine whether altered interlimb coordination patterns across trials improved bimanual force control capabilities within a trial. Fourteen healthy young participants completed bimanual force control tasks at 5%, 25%, and 50% of maximum voluntary contraction with and without visual feedback. To estimate synergetic coordination patterns between hands across multiple trials, we analyzed our primary outcome measure by performing an uncontrolled manifold analysis. In addition, we calculated force accuracy, variability, and regularity within a trial to quantify task stabilization. Using Pearson’s correlation analyses, we determined the relation between the changes in bilateral motor synergies (i.e., a proportion of good variability relative to bad variability) and bimanual force control performance from no-vision to vision conditions. The findings revealed that the presence of visual feedback significantly increased bilateral motor synergies with a reduction of bad variability components across multiple trials, and decreased force error, variability, and regularity within a trial. Further, we observed significant positive correlations between higher bilateral motor synergies and increased improvements in force control capabilities. These findings suggested that bimanual synergetic coordination behaviors at the planning level modulated by external sensory feedback may be related to advanced task stabilization patterns at the execution level.

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