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MacKenzie EG, Snow NJ, Chaves AR, Reza SZ, Ploughman M. Weak grip strength among persons with multiple sclerosis having minimal disability is not related to agility or integrity of the corticospinal tract. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2024; 88:105741. [PMID: 38936325 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mobility impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS); however, agility has received less attention. Agility requires strength and neuromuscular coordination to elicit controlled propulsive rapid whole-body movement. Grip strength is a common method to assess whole body force production, but also reflects neuromuscular integrity and global brain health. Impaired agility may be linked to loss of neuromuscular integrity (reflected by grip strength or corticospinal excitability). OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine whether grip strength would be associated with agility and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-based indices of corticospinal excitability and inhibition in persons with MS having low disability. We hypothesized that low grip strength would predict impaired agility and reflect low corticospinal excitability. METHODS We recruited 34 persons with relapsing MS (27 females; median [range] age 45.5 [21.0-65.0] years) and mild disability (median [range] Expanded Disability Status Scale 2.0 [0-3.0]), as well as a convenience sample of age- and sex-matched apparently healthy controls. Agility was tested by measuring hop length during bipedal hopping on an instrumented walkway. Grip strength was measured using a calibrated dynamometer. Corticospinal excitability and inhibition were examined using TMS-based motor evoked potential (MEP) and corticospinal silent period (CSP) recruitment curves, respectively. RESULTS MS participants had significantly lower grip strength than controls independent of sex. Females with and without MS had weaker grip strength than males. There were no statistically significant sex or group differences in agility. After controlling for sex, weaker grip strength was associated with shorter hop length in controls only (r = 0.645, p < .05). Grip strength did not significantly predict agility in persons with MS, nor was grip strength predicted by corticospinal excitability or inhibition. CONCLUSIONS In persons with MS having low disability, grip strength (normalized to body mass) was reduced despite having intact agility and walking performance. Grip strength was not associated with corticospinal excitability or inhibition, suggesting peripheral neuromuscular function, low physical activity or fitness, or other psychosocial factors may be related to weakness. Low grip strength is a putative indicator of early neuromuscular aging in persons with MS having mild disability and normal mobility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan G MacKenzie
- Faculty of Medicine, Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Room 400, L.A. Miller Center, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, St. John's, NL A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - Nicholas J Snow
- Faculty of Medicine, Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Room 400, L.A. Miller Center, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, St. John's, NL A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - Arthur R Chaves
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada; Neuromodulation Research Clinic, The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, ON, Canada; Département de Psychoéducation et de Psychologie, Université du Québec en Outaouais, QC, Canada
| | - Syed Z Reza
- Faculty of Medicine, Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Room 400, L.A. Miller Center, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, St. John's, NL A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - Michelle Ploughman
- Faculty of Medicine, Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Room 400, L.A. Miller Center, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, St. John's, NL A1A 1E5, Canada.
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Geßner A, Hartmann M, Vágó A, Trentzsch K, Schriefer D, Mehrholz J, Ziemssen T. Sensitive Identification of Asymmetries and Neuromuscular Deficits in Lower Limb Function in Early Multiple Sclerosis. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2024:15459683241245964. [PMID: 38613335 DOI: 10.1177/15459683241245964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the early stages of multiple sclerosis (MS), there are no objective sensitive functional assessments to identify and quantify early subclinical neuromuscular deficits and lower limb strength asymmetries during complex movements. Single-countermovement jumps (SLCMJ), a maximum single leg vertical jump, on a force plate allow functional evaluation of unilateral lower limb performance in performance diagnostics and could therefore provide early results on asymmetries in MS. OBJECTIVE Objective evaluation of early lower limb neuromuscular deficits and asymmetries in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) using SLCMJ on a force plate. METHODS A study was conducted with pwMS (N = 126) and healthy controls (N = 97). All participants performed 3 maximal SLCMJs on a force plate. Temporal, kinetic, and power jump parameters were collected. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was performed on all participants. A repeated measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with age, Body-Mass-Index, and gender as covariates was used. RESULTS PwMS with normal muscle strength according to the manual muscle tests showed significantly reduced SLCMJ performance compared to HC. In both groups, jumping performance differed significantly between the dominant and non-dominant leg, with higher effect size for pwMS. A significant interaction effect between leg dominance and group was found for propulsive time, where the pwMS showed an even higher difference between the dominant and non-dominant leg compared to HC. Furthermore, there was a significant small correlation between leg asymmetries and EDSS in pwMS. CONCLUSION The study shows that the SLCMJ on a force plate is suitable for the early detection of subclinical lower limb neuromuscular deficits and strength asymmetries in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Geßner
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurological Clinic, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maximilian Hartmann
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurological Clinic, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anikó Vágó
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurological Clinic, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katrin Trentzsch
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurological Clinic, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Dirk Schriefer
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurological Clinic, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jan Mehrholz
- SRH University of Applied Sciences, Gera, Germany
- Public Health, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tjalf Ziemssen
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurological Clinic, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Countermovement Jumps Detect Subtle Motor Deficits in People with Multiple Sclerosis below the Clinical Threshold. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030774. [PMID: 36979753 PMCID: PMC10044802 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In the early stages of multiple sclerosis (MS), there are currently no sensitive assessments to evaluate complex motor functions. The countermovement jump (CMJ), a high-challenge task in form of a maximal vertical bipedal jump, has already been investigated as a reliable assessment in healthy subjects for lower extremity motor function. The aim was to investigate whether it is possible to use CMJ to identify subthreshold motor deficits in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). All participants (99 pwMS and 33 healthy controls) performed three maximal CMJs on a force plate. PwMS with full motor function and healthy controls (HC) did not differ significantly in age, disease duration, Body Mass Index and the Expanded Disability Scale Score. In comparison to HC, pwMS with full motor function demonstrated a significantly decreased CMJ performance in almost all observed kinetic, temporal and performance parameters (p < 0.05). With increasing disability in pwMS, it was also observed that jump performance decreased significantly. This study showed that the CMJ, as a high challenge task, could detect motor deficits in pwMS below the clinical threshold of careful neurological examination. Longitudinal studies are pending to evaluate whether the CMJ can be used as a standardized measure of disease progression.
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Reina-Ruiz ÁJ, Martínez-Cal J, Molina-Torres G, Romero-Galisteo RP, Galán-Mercant A, Carrasco-Vega E, González-Sánchez M. Effectiveness of Blood Flow Restriction on Functionality, Quality of Life and Pain in Patients with Neuromusculoskeletal Pathologies: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1401. [PMID: 36674158 PMCID: PMC9858892 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood flow restriction is characterized as a method used during exercise at low loads of around 20-40% of a repetition maximum, or at a low-moderate intensity of aerobic exercise, in which cuffs that occlude the proximal part of the extremities can partially reduce arterial flow and fully restrict the venous flow of the musculature in order to achieve the same benefits as high-load exercise. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this systematic literature review was to analyze the effects of BFR intervention on pain, functionality, and quality of life in subjects with neuromusculoskeletal pathologies. METHODS The search to carry out was performed in PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, PEDro, CINHAL, SPORTDiscus, Trip Medical Database, and Scopus: "kaatsu" OR "ischemic training" OR "blood flow restriction" OR "occlusion resistance training" OR "vascular occlusion" OR "vascular restriction". RESULTS After identifying 486 papers and eliminating 175 of them due to duplication and 261 after reading the title and abstract, 50 papers were selected. Of all the selected articles, 28 were excluded for not presenting a score equal to or higher than 6 points on the PEDro scale and 8 for not analyzing the target outcome variables. Finally, 14 papers were selected for this systematic review. CONCLUSIONS The data collected indicate that the blood flow restriction tool is a therapeutic alternative due to its effectiveness under different exercise modalities. The benefits found include decreases in pain thresholds and improvement in the functionality and quality of life of the neuro-musculoskeletal patient during the first six weeks. However, the results provided by this tool are still not clear for medium- and long-term interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Jesús Reina-Ruiz
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
| | - Jesús Martínez-Cal
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Guadalupe Molina-Torres
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Rita-Pilar Romero-Galisteo
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine of Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - Alejandro Galán-Mercant
- Institute of Biomedicine of Cádiz (INIBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain
- MOVE-IT Research Group, Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cádiz, 11009 Cádiz, Spain
| | - Elio Carrasco-Vega
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine of Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - Manuel González-Sánchez
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine of Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain
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Hu W, Combden O, Jiang X, Buragadda S, Newell CJ, Williams MC, Critch AL, Ploughman M. Machine learning corroborates subjective ratings of walking and balance difficulty in multiple sclerosis. Front Artif Intell 2022; 5:952312. [PMID: 36248625 PMCID: PMC9556653 DOI: 10.3389/frai.2022.952312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Machine learning can discern meaningful information from large datasets. Applying machine learning techniques to raw sensor data from instrumented walkways could automatically detect subtle changes in walking and balance. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder in which patients report varying degrees of walking and balance disruption. This study aimed to determine whether machine learning applied to walkway sensor data could classify severity of self-reported symptoms in MS patients. Ambulatory people with MS (n = 107) were asked to rate the severity of their walking and balance difficulties, from 1-No problems to 5-Extreme problems, using the MS-Impact Scale-29. Those who scored less than 3 (moderately) were assigned to the “mild” group (n = 35), and those scoring higher were in the “moderate” group (n = 72). Three machine learning algorithms were applied to classify the “mild” group from the “moderate” group. The classification achieved 78% accuracy, a precision of 85%, a recall of 90%, and an F1 score of 87% for distinguishing those people reporting mild from moderate walking and balance difficulty. This study demonstrates that machine learning models can reliably be applied to instrumented walkway data and distinguish severity of self-reported impairment in people with MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Hu
- Ubiquitous Computing and Machine Learning Research Lab, Department of Computer Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Owen Combden
- Ubiquitous Computing and Machine Learning Research Lab, Department of Computer Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Xianta Jiang
- Ubiquitous Computing and Machine Learning Research Lab, Department of Computer Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
- *Correspondence: Xianta Jiang
| | - Syamala Buragadda
- Recovery and Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Caitlin J. Newell
- Recovery and Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Maria C. Williams
- Recovery and Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Amber L. Critch
- Recovery and Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Michelle Ploughman
- Recovery and Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
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Kirkland MC, Wadden KP, Ploughman M. Bipedal hopping as a new measure to detect subtle sensorimotor impairment in people with multiple sclerosis. Disabil Rehabil 2020; 44:1544-1555. [PMID: 32955951 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1820585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bipedal hopping has the potential to detect subtle multiple sclerosis (MS)-related impairments, especially among patients who "pass" typical movement tests. In this narrative review, we outline the biomechanics of bipedal hopping and propose its usefulness as a novel outcome measure for people with MS having mild disability. METHODS We summarize articles that (1) examined the biomechanics of jumping or hopping and (2) tested the validity and/or reliability of hopping tests. We consolidated consistencies and gaps in research and opportunities for future development of the bipedal hop test. RESULTS Bipedal hopping requires immense power, coordination, balance, and ability to reduce co-contraction; movement components typically affected by MS. These impairments can be measured and differentiated by examining specific variables, such as hop length (power), symmetry (coordination), center of pressure (balance), and coefficient of variability (co-contraction/spasticity). Bipedal hopping challenges these aspects of movement and exposes sensorimotor impairments that may not have been apparent during walking. CONCLUSIONS Testing of bipedal hopping on an instrumented walkway may detect and monitor sensorimotor control in people with MS who do not currently present with clinical deficits. Early measurement is imperative for precise rehabilitation prescription to slow disability progression prior to onset of measurable gait impairment.Implications for rehabilitationJumping and hopping tests detect lower limb and balance impairments in children, athletes, and older adults.Bipedal hop test measures multiple domains: power, coordination, balance, and muscle timing.Bipedal hop test may expose subtle sensorimotor impairments in people with multiple sclerosis.Multiple variables measured can discern type of sensorimotor impairment to direct personalized rehabilitation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan C Kirkland
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Katie P Wadden
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Michelle Ploughman
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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