scholarly journals Between Limb Muscle Co-activation Patterns in the Paretic Arm During Non-paretic Arm Tasks in Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nayo M. Hill ◽  
Theresa Sukal-Moulton ◽  
Julius P. A. Dewald
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Shoulder Abduction ◽  
Descending Pathways ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Effort Level ◽  
Co Activation ◽  
Muscle Activations

Tasks of daily life require the independent use of the arms and hands. Individuals with hemiparetic cerebral palsy (HCP) often experience difficulty with fine motor tasks demonstrating mirrored movements between the arms. In this study, bilateral muscle activations were quantified during single arm isometric maximum efforts and submaximal reaching tasks. The magnitude and direction of mirrored activation was examined in 14 individuals with HCP and 9 age-matched controls. Participants generated maximum voluntary torques (MVTs) in five different directions and completed ballistic reaches while producing up to 80% of shoulder abduction MVT. Electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded from six upper extremity muscles bilaterally. Participants with HCP demonstrated more mirrored activation when volitionally contracting the non-paretic (NP) arm than the paretic arm (F = 83.543, p < 0.001) in isometric efforts. Increased EMG activation during reach acceleration resulted in a larger increase in rest arm co-activation when reaching with the NP arm compared to the paretic arm in the HCP group (t = 8.425, p < 0.001). Mirrored activation is more pronounced when driving the NP arm and scales with effort level. This directionality of mirroring is indicative of the use of ipsilaterally terminating projections of the corticospinal tract (CST) originating in the non-lesioned hemisphere. Peripheral measures of muscle activation provide insight into the descending pathways available for control of the upper extremity after early unilateral brain injury.

scholarly journals Lower complexity of motor primitives ensures robust control of high-speed human locomotion

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Santuz ◽  
Antonis Ekizos ◽  
Yoko Kunimasa ◽  
Kota Kijima ◽  
Masaki Ishikawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Human Locomotion ◽  
Muscle Synergies ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Motor Primitives ◽  
Muscle Activation Patterns ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Muscle Activations ◽  
Low Dimensional

AbstractWalking and running are mechanically and energetically different locomotion modes. For selecting one or another, speed is a parameter of paramount importance. Yet, both are likely controlled by similar low-dimensional neuronal networks that reflect in patterned muscle activations called muscle synergies. Here, we investigated how humans synergistically activate muscles during locomotion at different submaximal and maximal speeds. We analysed the duration and complexity (or irregularity) over time of motor primitives, the temporal components of muscle synergies. We found that the challenge imposed by controlling high-speed locomotion forces the central nervous system to produce muscle activation patterns that are wider and less complex relative to the duration of the gait cycle. The motor modules, or time-independent coefficients, were redistributed as locomotion speed changed. These outcomes show that robust locomotion control at challenging speeds is achieved by modulating the relative contribution of muscle activations and producing less complex and wider control signals, whereas slow speeds allow for more irregular control.

scholarly journals A Statistical Approach for the Assessment of Muscle Activation Patterns during Gait in Parkinson’s Disease

Electronics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1641
Author(s):  
Giulia Pacini Panebianco ◽  
Davide Ferrazzoli ◽  
Giuseppe Frazzitta ◽  
Margherita Fonsato ◽  
Maria Cristina Bisi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Statistical Approach ◽  
Healthy Adults ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Gastrocnemius Medialis ◽  
Muscle Activation Patterns ◽  
Co Activation

Recently, the statistical analysis of muscle activation patterns highlighted that not only one, but several activation patterns can be identified in the gait of healthy adults, with different occurrence. Although its potential, the application of this approach in pathological populations is still limited and specific implementation issues need to be addressed. This study aims at applying a statistical approach to analyze muscle activation patterns of gait in Parkinson’s Disease, integrating gait symmetry and co-activation. Surface electromyographic signal of tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius medialis were recorded during a 6-min walking test in 20 patients. Symmetry between right and left stride time series was verified, different activation patterns identified, and their occurrence (number and timing) quantified, as well as the co-activation of antagonist muscles. Gastrocnemius medialis presented five activation patterns (mean occurrence ranging from 2% to 43%) showing, with respect to healthy adults, the presence of a first shorted and delayed activation (between flat foot contact and push off, and in the final swing) and highlighting a new second region of anticipated activation (during early/mid swing). Tibialis anterior presented five activation patterns (mean occurrence ranging from 3% to 40%) highlighting absent or delayed activity at the beginning of the gait cycle, and generally shorter and anticipated activations during the swing phase with respect to healthy adults. Three regions of co-contraction were identified: from heel strike to mid-stance, from the pre- to initial swing, and during late swing. This study provided a novel insight in the analysis of muscle activation patterns in Parkinson’s Disease patients with respect to the literature, where unique, at times conflicting, average patterns were reported. The proposed integrated methodology is meant to be generalized for the analysis of muscle activation patterns in pathologic subjects.

scholarly journals Protocol and Feasibility-Randomized Trial of Telehealth Delivery for a Multicomponent Upper Extremity Intervention in Infants With Asymmetric Cerebral Palsy

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 2329048X2094621
Author(s):  
Lindsay Pietruszewski ◽  
Stephanie Burkhardt ◽  
Paul J. Yoder ◽  
Jill Heathcock ◽  
Dennis J. Lewandowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Treatment Fidelity ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Motor Functioning ◽  
Intervention Delivery ◽  
Multicomponent Intervention ◽  
Telehealth Intervention

Background: Past work showed that an in-person, therapist-guided, parent-implemented multicomponent intervention increased the motor functioning of the more affected upper extremity (UE) in infants with asymmetric cerebral palsy. The authors document treatment fidelity and provide initial testing of telehealth intervention delivery in a new subject sample. Methods: The authors adapted the intervention manual used in the previous trial for telehealth. Infants (6-24 months) were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 7) or waitlist (n = 6). The intervention prescribed soft-constraint wear on the less affected UE for 6 hours, 5 d/wk, and exercises. After an initial in-person training session, three 15- to 45-minute telehealth sessions were performed. Results: Median weekly constraint wear was 21 hours (interquartile range = 10.3-29.7); average parent-treatment fidelity was 95.7% (SD 11.2). A significant large (Cohen d = 0.92) between-group differences occurred on fine motor functioning of more affected UEs. Conclusion: The telehealth intervention was feasible and potentially effective, but a larger trial is needed to evaluate efficacy.

scholarly journals Upper Extremity Kinematics and Muscle Activation Patterns in Subjects With Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy

2014 ◽  
Vol 95 (9) ◽  
pp. 1731-1741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arjen Bergsma ◽  
Alessio Murgia ◽  
Edith H. Cup ◽  
Paul P. Verstegen ◽  
Kenneth Meijer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy ◽  
Muscle Activation Patterns

EMG-Assisted Neuromusculoskeletal Models Can Estimate Physiological Muscle Activations and Joint Moments Across the Neck Before Impacts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavlos Silvestros ◽  
Claudio Pizzolato ◽  
David G. Lloyd ◽  
Ezio Preatoni ◽  
Harinderjit S. Gill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Inverse Dynamics ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Neck Muscle ◽  
Joint Moments ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Muscle Activation Patterns ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Muscle Activations

Abstract Knowledge of neck muscle activation strategies prior to sporting impacts is crucial for investigating mechanisms of severe spinal injuries. However, measurement of muscle activations during impacts is experimentally challenging and computational estimations are not often guided by experimental measurements. We investigated neck muscle activations prior to impacts with the use of electromyography (EMG)-assisted neuromusculoskeletal models. Kinematics and EMG recordings from four major neck muscles of a rugby player were experimentally measured during rugby activities. A subject-specific musculoskeletal model was created with muscle parameters informed from MRI measurements. The model was used in the Calibrated EMG-Informed Neuromusculoskeletal Modelling toolbox and three neural solutions were compared: i) static optimisation (SO), ii) EMG-assisted (EMGa) and iii) MRI-informed EMG-assisted (EMGaMRI). EMGaMRI and EMGa significantly (p¡0.01) outperformed SO when tracking cervical spine net joint moments from inverse dynamics in flexion/extension (RMSE = 0.95, 1.14 and 2.32 Nm) but not in lateral bending (RMSE = 1.07, 2.07 and 0.84 Nm). EMG-assisted solutions generated physiological muscle activation patterns and maintained experimental co-contractions significantly (p¡0.01) outperforming SO, which was characterised by saturation and non-physiological "on-off" patterns. This study showed for the first time that physiological neck muscle activations and cervical spine net joint moments can be estimated without assumed a priori objective criteria prior to impacts. Future studies could use this technique to provide detailed initial loading conditions for theoretical simulations of neck injury during impacts.

Impact of Backward Motor-Assisted Elliptical Training on Upper Extremity Muscle Activation Patterns When Using Reciprocally Moving Handles

2021 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. e11-e12
Author(s):  
Seella Nimmo ◽  
Brittany Catcher ◽  
Hannah White ◽  
Thad Buster ◽  
Guilherme Cesar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Muscle Activation Patterns

Hand function development of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: A scoping review

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
James V. McCall ◽  
Miranda C. Ludovice ◽  
Catherine Elliott ◽  
Derek G. Kamper
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Hand Function ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Clinical Scales ◽  
Clinical Assessments ◽  
Assessment Scores ◽  
Muscle Activation Patterns ◽  
Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy

PURPOSE: Hemiplegic cerebral palsy (hCP) typically impacts sensorimotor control of the hand, but comprehensive assessments of the hands of children with hCP are relatively rare. This scoping review summarizes the development of hand function for children with hCP. METHODS: This scoping review focused on the development of hand function in children with hCP. Electronic databases (PubMed, PEDro, Web of Science, CINAHL, and SpringerLink) were searched to identify studies assessing hand function in children with hCP. The search was performed using keywords (e.g., “hemiplegia”). An iterative approach verified by two authors was used to select the studies. Articles which reported quantitative data for children with hCP on any items of a specified set of hand evaluations were included. Measures were sorted into three categories: quantitative neuromechanics, clinical assessments, and clinical functional evaluations. RESULTS: Initial searches returned 1536 articles, 131 of which were included in the final review. Trends between assessment scores and age were examined for both hands. CONCLUSION: While several studies have evaluated hand function in children with hCP, the majority relied on clinical scales, assessments, or qualitative descriptions. Further assessments of kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activation patterns are needed to identify the underlying impairment mechanisms that should be targeted for treatment.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document