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Mari S, Lecomte CG, Merlet AN, Audet J, Yassine S, Al Arab R, Harnie J, Rybak IA, Prilutsky BI, Frigon A. Changes in intra- and interlimb reflexes from forelimb cutaneous afferents after staggered thoracic lateral hemisections during locomotion in cats. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.23.590723. [PMID: 38712151 PMCID: PMC11071401 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.23.590723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
In quadrupeds, such as cats, cutaneous afferents from the forepaw dorsum signal external perturbations and send signals to spinal circuits to coordinate the activity in muscles of all four limbs. How these cutaneous reflex pathways from forelimb afferents are reorganized after an incomplete spinal cord injury is not clear. Using a staggered thoracic lateral hemisections paradigm, we investigated changes in intralimb and interlimb reflex pathways by electrically stimulating the left and right superficial radial nerves in seven adult cats and recording reflex responses in five forelimb and ten hindlimb muscles. After the first (right T5-T6) and second (left T10-T11) hemisections, forelimb-hindlimb coordination was altered and weakened. After the second hemisection, cats required balance assistance to perform quadrupedal locomotion. Short-, mid- and long-latency homonymous and crossed reflex responses in forelimb muscles and their phase modulation remained largely unaffected after staggered hemisections. The occurrence of homolateral and diagonal mid- and long-latency responses in hindlimb muscles evoked with left and right superficial radial nerve stimulation was significantly reduced at the first time point after the first hemisection, but partially recovered at the second time point with left superficial radial nerve stimulation. These responses were lost or reduced after the second hemisection. When present, all reflex responses, including homolateral and diagonal, maintained their phase-dependent modulation. Therefore, our results show a considerable loss in cutaneous reflex transmission from cervical to lumbar levels after incomplete spinal cord injury, albeit with preservation of phase modulation, likely affecting functional responses to external perturbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Mari
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Charly G. Lecomte
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Angèle N. Merlet
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Johannie Audet
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Sirine Yassine
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Rasha Al Arab
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Jonathan Harnie
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Ilya A. Rybak
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Boris I. Prilutsky
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Alain Frigon
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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Sozzi S, Schieppati M. Balance Adaptation While Standing on a Compliant Base Depends on the Current Sensory Condition in Healthy Young Adults. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:839799. [PMID: 35399363 PMCID: PMC8989851 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.839799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Several investigations have addressed the process of balance adaptation to external perturbations. The adaptation during unperturbed stance has received little attention. Further, whether the current sensory conditions affect the adaptation rate has not been established. We have addressed the role of vision and haptic feedback on adaptation while standing on foam. Methods In 22 young subjects, the analysis of geometric (path length and sway area) and spectral variables (median frequency and mean level of both total spectrum and selected frequency windows) of the oscillation of the centre of feet pressure (CoP) identified the effects of vision, light-touch (LT) or both in the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) direction over 8 consecutive 90 s standing trials. Results Adaptation was obvious without vision (eyes closed; EC) and tenuous with vision (eyes open; EO). With trial repetition, path length and median frequency diminished with EC (p < 0.001) while sway area and mean level of the spectrum increased (p < 0.001). The low- and high-frequency range of the spectrum increased and decreased in AP and ML directions, respectively. Touch compared to no-touch enhanced the rate of increase of the low-frequency power (p < 0.05). Spectral differences in distinct sensory conditions persisted after adaptation. Conclusion Balance adaptation occurs during standing on foam. Adaptation leads to a progressive increase in the amplitude of the lowest frequencies of the spectrum and a concurrent decrease in the high-frequency range. Within this common behaviour, touch adds to its stabilising action a modest effect on the adaptation rate. Stabilisation is improved by favouring slow oscillations at the expense of sway minimisation. These findings are preliminary to investigations of balance problems in persons with sensory deficits, ageing, and peripheral or central nervous lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Sozzi
- Centro Studi Attività Motorie (CSAM), Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SB (IRCCS), Pavia, Italy
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3
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Wu M, Drnach L, Bong SM, Song YS, Ting LH. Human-Human Hand Interactions Aid Balance During Walking by Haptic Communication. Front Robot AI 2021; 8:735575. [PMID: 34805289 PMCID: PMC8599825 DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2021.735575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Principles from human-human physical interaction may be necessary to design more intuitive and seamless robotic devices to aid human movement. Previous studies have shown that light touch can aid balance and that haptic communication can improve performance of physical tasks, but the effects of touch between two humans on walking balance has not been previously characterized. This study examines physical interaction between two persons when one person aids another in performing a beam-walking task. 12 pairs of healthy young adults held a force sensor with one hand while one person walked on a narrow balance beam (2 cm wide x 3.7 m long) and the other person walked overground by their side. We compare balance performance during partnered vs. solo beam-walking to examine the effects of haptic interaction, and we compare hand interaction mechanics during partnered beam-walking vs. overground walking to examine how the interaction aided balance. While holding the hand of a partner, participants were able to walk further on the beam without falling, reduce lateral sway, and decrease angular momentum in the frontal plane. We measured small hand force magnitudes (mean of 2.2 N laterally and 3.4 N vertically) that created opposing torque components about the beam axis and calculated the interaction torque, the overlapping opposing torque that does not contribute to motion of the beam-walker’s body. We found higher interaction torque magnitudes during partnered beam-walking vs. partnered overground walking, and correlation between interaction torque magnitude and reductions in lateral sway. To gain insight into feasible controller designs to emulate human-human physical interactions for aiding walking balance, we modeled the relationship between each torque component and motion of the beam-walker’s body as a mass-spring-damper system. Our model results show opposite types of mechanical elements (active vs. passive) for the two torque components. Our results demonstrate that hand interactions aid balance during partnered beam-walking by creating opposing torques that primarily serve haptic communication, and our model of the torques suggest control parameters for implementing human-human balance aid in human-robot interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengnan Wu
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Luke Drnach
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sistania M Bong
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Yun Seong Song
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, United States
| | - Lena H Ting
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Division of Physical Therapy, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Watanabe M, Tani H. Effects of active and passive light-touch support on postural stability during tandem standing. J Phys Ther Sci 2020; 32:55-58. [PMID: 32082030 PMCID: PMC7008021 DOI: 10.1589/jpts.32.55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
[Purpose] Light-touch support (consisting of a load <100 g) is useful for reducing
postural sway while standing and walking. However, it is unclear which types of touch and
somatosensory inputs are more effective for improving postural control. This study aimed
to clarify the effects of active and passive light-touch support, with and without visual
information, on postural stability during tandem standing. [Participants and Methods]
Eleven young healthy adults maintained tandem standing for 30 s under six conditions. The
independent variables were light-touch condition (no, active or passive) and visual
condition (eyes open or closed). Postural sway, as measured using a force plate, was
considered to indicate postural stability. [Results] There was significantly less postural
sway with active light touch compared with passive and no touch. Passive light touch
resulted in significantly less sway than no touch. In addition, there was less postural
sway with active light compared to passive light touch, especially with the eyes closed.
The light-touch support force did not differ between conditions. [Conclusion] Both active
and passive light-touch improved postural stability in comparison to no-touch. Active
light-touch support significantly improved postural stability. These results could be used
to inform therapeutic interventions within clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miyoko Watanabe
- International University of Health and Welfare: 2600-1 Kitakanemaru, Ohtawara City, Tochigi Prefecture 324-8501, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Tani
- International University of Health and Welfare: 2600-1 Kitakanemaru, Ohtawara City, Tochigi Prefecture 324-8501, Japan
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Sombric C, Gonzalez-Rubio M, Torres-Oviedo G. Split-Belt walking induces changes in active, but not passive, perception of step length. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16442. [PMID: 31712598 PMCID: PMC6848101 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52860-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful motor control requires accurate estimation of our body in space for planning, executing, and evaluating the outcome of our actions. It has been shown that the estimation of limb position is susceptible to motor adaptation. However, a similar effect has not been found in locomotion, possibly due to how it was tested. We hypothesized that split-belt walking with the legs moving at different speeds changes the estimation of the legs' position when taking a step. Thus, we assessed young subjects' perception of step length (i.e., inter-feet distance at foot landing) when they moved their legs (active perception) or when the legs were moved by the experimenter (passive perception). We found that the active perception of step length was substantially altered following split-belt walking, whereas passive perception exhibited minor changes. This suggests that split-belt walking induced the adaptation of efferent signals, without altering sensory signals. We also found that active perceptual shifts were sensitive to how they were tested: they were most salient in the trailing leg and at short step lengths. Our results suggest that split-belt walking could modulate the deficient perception of step length post-stroke, which may contribute to gait asymmetries impairing patients' mobility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly Sombric
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Gelsy Torres-Oviedo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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6
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Stramel DM, Carrera RM, Rahok SA, Stein J, Agrawal SK. Effects of a Person-Following Light-Touch Device During Overground Walking With Visual Perturbations in a Virtual Reality Environment. IEEE Robot Autom Lett 2019. [DOI: 10.1109/lra.2019.2931267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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7
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Čamernik J, Azad M, Peternel L, Potocanac Z, Babič J. Staying on your feet: the effectiveness of posture and handles in counteracting balance perturbation. ERGONOMICS 2019; 62:657-667. [PMID: 30556785 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2018.1559363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Stairways, public transport and inclined walkways are often considered as sites with higher likelihood of falls due to a sudden loss of balance. Such sites are usually marked with warning signs, equipped with non-slip surfaces and handles or handrails to avert or decrease this likelihood. Especially, handles are supposed to provide additional support in cases of a sudden loss of balance. However, the mechanisms of using handles for balance at different heights are not yet fully disclosed. We simulated full body perturbations by applying an anterior force to the waist and investigated effectiveness and mechanisms of balance recovery in five different postures: step stance and normal stance with or without holding handles at different heights. Results indicate that both step stance and holding handles at different vertical positions sufficiently assist balance recovery, compared to normal stance. While there was no significant effect of handle in CoM displacement, the shoulder height handle required the lowest handle force, indicating a difference in using the handle. Practitioner summary: To investigate handle use for balance recovery, we perturbed healthy young adults in different standing positions. Even though the use of different handles had a similar effect, the lowest forces were exerted on the shoulder height handle indicating a preferred handle position for balance recovery. Abbreviation: AP: antero-posterior; CNS: Central nervous system; CoM: Center of Mass; CoMmax: Maximal displacement of the center of mass; CoP: Center of pressure; FHmax: Maximal resultant force exerted on the handle; hFHmax: Maximal horizontal force exerted on the handle; vFHmax; Maximal vertical force exerted on the handle; M1-M8: Perturbation force magnitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jernej Čamernik
- a Laboratory for Neuromechanics and Biorobotics, Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics , Jožef Stefan Institute , Ljubljana 1000 , Slovenia
- b Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School , Ljubljana , Slovenia
| | - Morteza Azad
- d School of Computer Science , University of Birmingham , Edgbaston , The United Kingdom
| | - Luka Peternel
- a Laboratory for Neuromechanics and Biorobotics, Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics , Jožef Stefan Institute , Ljubljana 1000 , Slovenia
- c HRI2 Lab, Department of Advanced Robotics , Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Genoa , Italy
| | - Zrinka Potocanac
- a Laboratory for Neuromechanics and Biorobotics, Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics , Jožef Stefan Institute , Ljubljana 1000 , Slovenia
| | - Jan Babič
- a Laboratory for Neuromechanics and Biorobotics, Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics , Jožef Stefan Institute , Ljubljana 1000 , Slovenia
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8
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White O, Babič J, Trenado C, Johannsen L, Goswami N. The Promise of Stochastic Resonance in Falls Prevention. Front Physiol 2019; 9:1865. [PMID: 30745883 PMCID: PMC6360177 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Multisensory integration is essential for maintenance of motor and cognitive abilities, thereby ensuring normal function and personal autonomy. Balance control is challenged during senescence or in motor disorders, leading to potential falls. Increased uncertainty in sensory signals is caused by a number of factors including noise, defined as a random and persistent disturbance that reduces the clarity of information. Counter-intuitively, noise can be beneficial in some conditions. Stochastic resonance is a mechanism whereby a particular level of noise actually enhances the response of non-linear systems to weak sensory signals. Here we review the effects of stochastic resonance on sensory modalities and systems directly involved in balance control. We highlight its potential for improving sensorimotor performance as well as cognitive and autonomic functions. These promising results demonstrate that stochastic resonance represents a flexible and non-invasive technique that can be applied to different modalities simultaneously. Finally we point out its benefits for a variety of scenarios including in ambulant elderly, skilled movements, sports and to patients with sensorimotor or autonomic dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier White
- INSERM UMR1093-CAPS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, UFR des Sciences du Sport, Dijon, France.,Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Babič
- Laboratory for Neuromechanics and Biorobotics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Carlos Trenado
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors TU Dortmund (ifADO), Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Leif Johannsen
- Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Nandu Goswami
- Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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9
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Oates AR, Unger J, Arnold CM, Fung J, Lanovaz JL. The effect of light touch on balance control during overground walking in healthy young adults. Heliyon 2017; 3:e00484. [PMID: 29322107 PMCID: PMC5753755 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2017.e00484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Balance control is essential for safe walking. Adding haptic input through light touch may improve walking balance; however, evidence is limited. This research investigated the effect of added haptic input through light touch in healthy young adults during challenging walking conditions. Sixteen individuals walked normally, in tandem, and on a compliant, low-lying balance beam with and without light touch on a railing. Three-dimensional kinematic data were captured to compute stride velocity (m/s), relative time spent in double support (%DS), a medial-lateral margin of stability (MOSML) and its variance (MOSMLCV), as well as a symmetry index (SI) for the MOSML. Muscle activity was evaluated by integrating electromyography signals for the soleus, tibialis anterior, and gluteus medius muscles bilaterally. Adding haptic input decreased stride velocity, increased the %DS, had no effect on the MOSML magnitude, decreased the MOSMLCV, had no effect on the SI, and increased activity of most muscles examined during normal walking. During tandem walking, stride velocity and the MOSMLCV decreased, while %DS, MOSML magnitude, SI, and muscle activity did not change with light touch. When walking on a low-lying, compliant balance beam, light touch had no effect on walking velocity, MOSML magnitude, or muscle activity; however, the %DS increased and the MOSMLCV and SI decreased when lightly touching a railing while walking on the balance beam. The decreases in the MOSMLCV with light touch across all walking conditions suggest that adding haptic input through light touch on a railing may improve balance control during walking through reduced variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Oates
- College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, 87 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7 N 5B2, Canada
| | - J Unger
- College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, 87 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7 N 5B2, Canada
| | - C M Arnold
- School of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - J Fung
- Feil/Oberfeld/CRIR Research Centre of the Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital of CISSS-Laval and School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Canada
| | - J L Lanovaz
- College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, 87 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7 N 5B2, Canada
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10
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Shiva T, Misiaszek JE. Activation of ankle muscles following rapid displacement of a light touch contact during treadmill walking. Exp Brain Res 2017; 236:563-576. [PMID: 29243137 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-017-5151-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The first exposure of a rapid displacement of a light touch reference induces an inappropriate balance corrective response during standing in a proportion of participants that is extinguished with repeated exposures. We hypothesized that if the spatial touch reference was critical to performing of a task the evoked response would be more consistently expressed across participants and observed with repeated exposures to the disturbance. To test this, 20 participants received either forward (N = 10) or backward right-touch displacements at right-heel strike during motorized treadmill walking without visual feedback. Electromyographic recordings from four arm, four leg and one neck muscle were sampled along with joint kinematic and step cycle data. Rapid displacement of the touch surface elicited responses in all 20 participants. However, the frequency of first trial responses was not different from what was observed during standing. In contrast, responses were observed in all participants with subsequent trials. None of the participants tripped or stumbled as a result of the touch perturbations; however, the step cycle duration was consistently shorter following the first forward-touch displacement. A post-experiment questionnaire revealed that many participants often perceived the touch plate displacement as a disturbance to the treadmill belt speed, suggesting the disturbance was occasionally misinterpreted. The activation of ankle muscles following the unexpected slip of a touch reference during walking suggests that tactile information from the finger is a relevant sensory cue for the regulation and control of stepping and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Shiva
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 2-64 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G4, Canada
| | - John E Misiaszek
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 2-64 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G4, Canada. .,Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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11
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The effects of haptic input on biomechanical and neurophysiological parameters of walking: A scoping review. Gait Posture 2017; 58:232-239. [PMID: 28822328 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Walking is an important component of daily life requiring sensorimotor integration to be successful. Adding haptic input via light touch or anchors has been shown to improve standing balance; however, the effect of adding haptic input on walking is not clear. This scoping review systematically summarizes the current evidence regarding the addition of haptic input on walking in adults. Following an established protocol, relevant studies were identified using indexed data bases (Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO, Google Scholar) and hand searches of published review articles on related topics. 644 references were identified and screened by a minimum of two independent researchers before data was extracted from 17 studies. A modified TREND tool was used to assess quality of the references which showed that the majority of studies were of moderate or high quality. Results show that adding haptic input changes walking behaviour. In particular, there is an immediate reduction in variability of gait step parameters and whole body stability, as well as a decrease in lower limb muscle activity. The effect of added haptic input on reflex modulation may depend on the limb of interest (i.e., upper or lower limb). Many studies did not clearly describe the amount and/or direction of haptic input applied. This information is needed to replicate and/or advance their results. More investigations into the use and design of the haptic tools, the attentional demands of adding haptic input, and clarity on short-term effects are needed. In addition, more is research needed to determine whether adding haptic input has significant, lasting benefits that may translate to fall prevention efforts.
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12
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Human bipedal instability in tree canopy environments is reduced by "light touch" fingertip support. Sci Rep 2017; 7:1135. [PMID: 28442732 PMCID: PMC5430707 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-01265-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Whether tree canopy habitats played a sustained role in the ecology of ancestral bipedal hominins is unresolved. Some argue that arboreal bipedalism was prohibitively risky for hominins whose increasingly modern anatomy prevented them from gripping branches with their feet. Balancing on two legs is indeed challenging for humans under optimal conditions let alone in forest canopy, which is physically and visually highly dynamic. Here we quantify the impact of forest canopy characteristics on postural stability in humans. Viewing a movie of swaying branches while standing on a branch-like bouncy springboard destabilised the participants as much as wearing a blindfold. However “light touch”, a sensorimotor strategy based on light fingertip support, significantly enhanced their balance and lowered their thigh muscle activity by up to 30%. This demonstrates how a light touch strategy could have been central to our ancestor’s ability to avoid falls and reduce the mechanical and metabolic cost of arboreal feeding and movement. Our results may also indicate that some adaptations in the hand that facilitated continued access to forest canopy may have complemented, rather than opposed, adaptations that facilitated precise manipulation and tool use.
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Misiaszek J, Forero J, Hiob E, Urbanczyk T. Automatic postural responses following rapid displacement of a light touch contact during standing. Neuroscience 2016; 316:1-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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14
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Honeine JL, Crisafulli O, Sozzi S, Schieppati M. Processing time of addition or withdrawal of single or combined balance-stabilizing haptic and visual information. J Neurophysiol 2015; 114:3097-110. [PMID: 26334013 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00618.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the integration time of haptic and visual input and their interaction during stance stabilization. Eleven subjects performed four tandem-stance conditions (60 trials each). Vision, touch, and both vision and touch were added and withdrawn. Furthermore, vision was replaced with touch and vice versa. Body sway, tibialis anterior, and peroneus longus activity were measured. Following addition or withdrawal of vision or touch, an integration time period elapsed before the earliest changes in sway were observed. Thereafter, sway varied exponentially to a new steady-state while reweighting occurred. Latencies of sway changes on sensory addition ranged from 0.6 to 1.5 s across subjects, consistently longer for touch than vision, and were regularly preceded by changes in muscle activity. Addition of vision and touch simultaneously shortened the latencies with respect to vision or touch separately, suggesting cooperation between sensory modalities. Latencies following withdrawal of vision or touch or both simultaneously were shorter than following addition. When vision was replaced with touch or vice versa, adding one modality did not interfere with the effect of withdrawal of the other, suggesting that integration of withdrawal and addition were performed in parallel. The time course of the reweighting process to reach the new steady-state was also shorter on withdrawal than addition. The effects of different sensory inputs on posture stabilization illustrate the operation of a time-consuming, possibly supraspinal process that integrates and fuses modalities for accurate balance control. This study also shows the facilitatory interaction of visual and haptic inputs in integration and reweighting of stance-stabilizing inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Louis Honeine
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; and Centro Studi Attività Motorie (CSAM), Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri (IRCSS), Pavia, Italy
| | - Oscar Crisafulli
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; and
| | - Stefania Sozzi
- Centro Studi Attività Motorie (CSAM), Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri (IRCSS), Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Schieppati
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; and Centro Studi Attività Motorie (CSAM), Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri (IRCSS), Pavia, Italy
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15
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Forero J, Misiaszek JE. The amplitude of interlimb cutaneous reflexes in the leg is influenced by fingertip touch and vision during treadmill locomotion. Exp Brain Res 2015; 233:1773-82. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-015-4250-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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16
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Martinelli AR, Coelho DB, Magalhães FH, Kohn AF, Teixeira LA. Light touch modulates balance recovery following perturbation: from fast response to stance restabilization. Exp Brain Res 2015; 233:1399-408. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-015-4214-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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17
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The effect of light touch on the amplitude of cutaneous reflexes in the arms during treadmill walking. Exp Brain Res 2014; 232:2967-76. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-014-3979-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 04/26/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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