1
|
Montante B, Zampa B, Balestreri L, Ciancia R, Chini G, Ranavolo A, Rupolo M, Sawacha Z, Urbani M, Varrecchia T, Michieli M. Instrumental Evaluation of the Effects of Vertebral Consolidation Surgery on Trunk Muscle Activations and Co-Activations in Patients with Multiple Myeloma: Preliminary Results. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:3527. [PMID: 38894318 PMCID: PMC11175183 DOI: 10.3390/s24113527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) patients complain of pain and stiffness limiting motility. To determine if patients can benefit from vertebroplasty, we assessed muscle activation and co-activation before and after surgery. Five patients with MM and five healthy controls performed sitting-to-standing and lifting tasks. Patients performed the task before and one month after surgery. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was recorded bilaterally over the erector spinae longissimus and rectus abdominis superior muscles to evaluate the trunk muscle activation and co-activation and their mean, maximum, and full width at half maximum were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed to compare MM patients before and after the surgery, MM and healthy controls and to investigate any correlations between the muscle's parameters and the severity of pain in patients. The results reveal increased activations and co-activations after vertebroplasty as well as in comparison with healthy controls suggesting how MM patients try to control the trunk before and after vertebroplasty surgery. The findings confirm the beneficial effects of vertebral consolidation on the pain experienced by the patient, despite an overall increase in trunk muscle activation and co-activation. Therefore, it is important to provide patients with rehabilitation treatment early after surgery to facilitate the CNS to correctly stabilize the spine without overloading it with excessive co-activations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Montante
- Unit of Onco-Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (B.M.); (B.Z.); (R.C.); (M.R.); (M.M.)
| | - Benedetta Zampa
- Unit of Onco-Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (B.M.); (B.Z.); (R.C.); (M.R.); (M.M.)
| | - Luca Balestreri
- Radiology Department, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (L.B.); (M.U.)
| | - Rosanna Ciancia
- Unit of Onco-Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (B.M.); (B.Z.); (R.C.); (M.R.); (M.M.)
| | - Giorgia Chini
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Istituto Nazionale per l’Assicurazione Contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Italy; (A.R.); (T.V.)
| | - Alberto Ranavolo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Istituto Nazionale per l’Assicurazione Contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Italy; (A.R.); (T.V.)
| | - Maurizio Rupolo
- Unit of Onco-Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (B.M.); (B.Z.); (R.C.); (M.R.); (M.M.)
| | - Zimi Sawacha
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy;
| | - Martina Urbani
- Radiology Department, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (L.B.); (M.U.)
| | - Tiwana Varrecchia
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Istituto Nazionale per l’Assicurazione Contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Italy; (A.R.); (T.V.)
| | - Mariagrazia Michieli
- Unit of Onco-Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (B.M.); (B.Z.); (R.C.); (M.R.); (M.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fiori L, Castiglia SF, Chini G, Draicchio F, Sacco F, Serrao M, Tatarelli A, Varrecchia T, Ranavolo A. The Lower Limb Muscle Co-Activation Map during Human Locomotion: From Slow Walking to Running. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:288. [PMID: 38534562 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11030288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) controls movements and regulates joint stiffness with muscle co-activation, but until now, few studies have examined muscle pairs during running. This study aims to investigate differences in lower limb muscle coactivation during gait at different speeds, from walking to running. Nineteen healthy runners walked and ran at speeds ranging from 0.8 km/h to 9.3 km/h. Twelve lower limb muscles' co-activation was calculated using the time-varying multi-muscle co-activation function (TMCf) with global, flexor-extension, and rostro-caudal approaches. Spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters were also measured. We found that TMCf, spatiotemporal, and kinematic parameters were significantly affected by gait speed for all approaches. Significant differences were observed in the main parameters of each co-activation approach and in the spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters at the transition between walking and running. In particular, significant differences were observed in the global co-activation (CIglob, main effect F(1,17) = 641.04, p < 0.001; at the transition p < 0.001), the stride length (main effect F(1,17) = 253.03, p < 0.001; at the transition p < 0.001), the stride frequency (main effect F(1,17) = 714.22, p < 0.001; at the transition p < 0.001) and the Center of Mass displacement in the vertical (CoMy, main effect F(1,17) = 426.2, p < 0.001; at the transition p < 0.001) and medial-lateral (CoMz, main effect F(1,17) = 120.29 p < 0.001; at the transition p < 0.001) directions. Regarding the correlation analysis, the CoMy was positively correlated with a higher CIglob (r = 0.88, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHMglob, r = -0.83, p < 0.001), whereas the CoMz was positively correlated with the global Center of Activity (CoAglob, r = 0.97, p < 0.001). Positive and negative strong correlations were found between global co-activation parameters and center of mass displacements, as well as some spatiotemporal parameters, regardless of gait speed. Our findings suggest that walking and running have different co-activation patterns and kinematic characteristics, with the whole-limb stiffness exerted more synchronously and stably during running. The co-activation indexes and kinematic parameters could be the result of global co-activation, which is a sensory-control integration process used by the CNS to deal with more demanding and potentially unstable tasks like running.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Fiori
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
- Behavioral Neuroscience PhD Program, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Viale dell'Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Filippo Castiglia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Polo Pontino, Via Franco Faggiana 1668, 04100 Latina, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Bassi 21, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Giorgia Chini
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Draicchio
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
| | - Floriana Sacco
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
| | - Mariano Serrao
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Polo Pontino, Via Franco Faggiana 1668, 04100 Latina, Italy
| | - Antonella Tatarelli
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
| | - Tiwana Varrecchia
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Ranavolo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Varrecchia T, Chini G, Tarbouriech S, Navarro B, Cherubini A, Draicchio F, Ranavolo A. The assistance of BAZAR robot promotes improved upper limb motor coordination in workers performing an actual use-case manual material handling. ERGONOMICS 2023; 66:1950-1967. [PMID: 36688620 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2023.2172213] [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: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study aims at evaluating upper limb muscle coordination and activation in workers performing an actual use-case manual material handling (MMH). The study relies on the comparison of the workers' muscular activity while they perform the task, with and without the help of a dual-arm cobot (BAZAR). Eleven participants performed the task and the flexors and extensors muscles of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and trunk joints were recorded using bipolar electromyography. The results showed that, when the particular MMH was carried out with BAZAR, both upper limb and trunk muscular co-activation and activation were decreased. Therefore, technologies that enable human-robot collaboration (HRC), which share a workspace with employees, relieve employees of external loads and enhance the effectiveness and calibre of task completion. Additionally, these technologies improve the worker's coordination, lessen the physical effort required to interact with the robot, and have a favourable impact on his or her physiological motor strategy. Practitioner summary: Upper limb and trunk muscle co-activation and activation is reduced when a specific manual material handling was performed with a cobot than without it. By improving coordination, reducing physical effort, and changing motor strategy, cobots could be proposed as an ergonomic intervention to lower workers' biomechanical risk in industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiwana Varrecchia
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Chini
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Francesco Draicchio
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Ranavolo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
D’Anna C, Varrecchia T, Ranavolo A, De Nunzio AM, Falla D, Draicchio F, Conforto S. Centre of pressure parameters for the assessment of biomechanical risk in fatiguing frequency-dependent lifting activities. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266731. [PMID: 35947818 PMCID: PMC9365398 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Lifting tasks, among manual material handling activities, are those mainly associated with low back pain. In recent years, several instrumental-based tools were developed to quantitatively assess the biomechanical risk during lifting activities. In this study, parameters related to balance and extracted from the Centre of Pressure (CoP) data series are studied in fatiguing frequency-dependent lifting activities to: i) explore the possibility of classifying people with LBP and asymptomatic people during the execution of task; ii) examine the assessment of the risk levels associated with repetitive lifting activities, iii) enhance current understanding of postural control strategies during lifting tasks. Data were recorded from 14 asymptomatic participants and 7 participants with low back pain. The participants performed lifting tasks in three different lifting conditions (with increasing lifting frequency and risk levels) and kinetic and surface electromyography (sEMG) data were acquired. Kinetic data were used to calculated the CoP and parameters extracted from the latter show a discriminant capacity for the groups and the risk levels. Furthermore, sEMG parameters show a trend compatible with myoelectric manifestations of muscular fatigue. Correlation results between sEMG and CoP velocity parameters revealed a positive correlation between amplitude sEMG parameters and CoP velocity in both groups and a negative correlation between frequency sEMG parameters and CoP velocity. The current findings suggest that it is possible to quantitatively assess the risk level when monitoring fatiguing lifting tasks by using CoP parameters as well as identify different motor strategies between people with and without LBP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen D’Anna
- Department of Engineering, Roma Tre University, Roma, Lazio, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Tiwana Varrecchia
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Ranavolo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marco De Nunzio
- LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Differdange, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Health & Sport Sciences Research Institute A.s.b.l., Differdange, Luxembourg
| | - Deborah Falla
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Draicchio
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Conforto
- Department of Engineering, Roma Tre University, Roma, Lazio, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Varrecchia T, Conforto S, De Nunzio AM, Draicchio F, Falla D, Ranavolo A. Trunk Muscle Coactivation in People with and without Low Back Pain during Fatiguing Frequency-Dependent Lifting Activities. SENSORS 2022; 22:s22041417. [PMID: 35214319 PMCID: PMC8874369 DOI: 10.3390/s22041417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Lifting tasks are manual material-handling activities and are commonly associated with work-related low back disorders. Instrument-based assessment tools are used to quantitatively assess the biomechanical risk associated with lifting activities. This study aims at highlighting different motor strategies in people with and without low back pain (LBP) during fatiguing frequency-dependent lifting tasks by using parameters of muscle coactivation. A total of 15 healthy controls (HC) and eight people with LBP performed three lifting tasks with a progressively increasing lifting index (LI), each lasting 15 min. Bilaterally erector spinae longissimus (ESL) activity and rectus abdominis superior (RAS) were recorded using bipolar surface electromyography systems (sEMG), and the time-varying multi-muscle coactivation function (TMCf) was computed. The TMCf can significantly discriminate each pair of LI and it is higher in LBP than HC. Collectively, our findings suggest that it is possible to identify different motor strategies between people with and without LBP. The main finding shows that LBP, to counteract pain, coactivates the trunk muscles more than HC, thereby adopting a strategy that is stiffer and more fatiguing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiwana Varrecchia
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, 00078 Rome, Italy; (T.V.); (F.D.); (A.R.)
- Department of Industrial, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Conforto
- Department of Industrial, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Alessandro Marco De Nunzio
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, 4671 Luxembourg, Luxembourg;
- Luxembourg Health & Sport Sciences Research Institute A.s.b.l., 4671 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Francesco Draicchio
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, 00078 Rome, Italy; (T.V.); (F.D.); (A.R.)
| | - Deborah Falla
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
| | - Alberto Ranavolo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, 00078 Rome, Italy; (T.V.); (F.D.); (A.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Varrecchia T, Ranavolo A, Conforto S, De Nunzio AM, Arvanitidis M, Draicchio F, Falla D. Bipolar versus high-density surface electromyography for evaluating risk in fatiguing frequency-dependent lifting activities. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2021; 95:103456. [PMID: 33984582 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Workers often develop low back pain due to manually lifting heavy loads. Instrumental-based assessment tools are used to quantitatively assess the biomechanical risk in lifting activities. This study aims to verify the hypothesis that high-density surface electromyography (HDsEMG) allows an optimized discrimination of risk levels associated with different fatiguing lifting conditions compared to traditional bipolar sEMG. 15 participants performed three lifting tasks with a progressively increasing lifting index (LI) each lasting 15 min. Erector spinae (ES) activity was recorded using both bipolar and HDsEMG systems. The amplitude of both bipolar and HDsEMG can significantly discriminate each pair of LI. HDsEMG data could discriminate across the different LIs starting from the fourth minute of the task while bipolar sEMG could only do so towards the end. The higher discriminative power of HDsEMG data across the lifting tasks makes such methodology a valuable tool to be used to monitor fatigue while lifting and could extend the possibilities offered by currently available instrumental-based tools.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiwana Varrecchia
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone, 00040, Rome, Italy; Department of Engineering, Roma Tre University, Via Vito Volterra 62, Roma, Lazio, Italy.
| | - Alberto Ranavolo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone, 00040, Rome, Italy.
| | - Silvia Conforto
- Department of Engineering, Roma Tre University, Via Vito Volterra 62, Roma, Lazio, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Marco De Nunzio
- LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, 50, Avenue du Parc des Sports, Differdange, 4671, Luxembourg; Luxembourg Health & Sport Sciences Research Institute A.s.b.l., 50, Avenue du Parc des Sports, Differdange, 4671, Luxembourg.
| | - Michail Arvanitidis
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B152TT, United Kingdom.
| | - Francesco Draicchio
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone, 00040, Rome, Italy.
| | - Deborah Falla
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B152TT, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Changes in Intermuscular Coherence as a Function of Age and Phase of Speech Production During an Overt Reading Task. Motor Control 2021; 25:295-314. [PMID: 33690169 DOI: 10.1123/mc.2020-0003] [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: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The authors evaluated changes in intermuscular coherence (IMC) of orofacial and speech breathing muscles across phase of speech production in healthy younger and older adults. METHOD Sixty adults (30 younger = M: 26.97 year; 30 older = M: 66.37 year) read aloud a list of 40 words. IMC was evaluated across phase: preparation (300 ms before speech onset), initiation (300 ms after onset), and total execution (entire word). RESULTS Orofacial IMC was lowest in the initiation, higher in preparation, and highest for the total execution phase. Chest wall IMC was lowest for the preparation and initiation and highest for the total execution phase. Despite age-related differences in accuracy, neuromuscular modulation for phase was similar between groups. CONCLUSION These results expand our knowledge of speech motor control by demonstrating that IMC is sensitive to phase of speech planning and production.
Collapse
|
8
|
Quirk DA, Trudel RD, Hubley-Kozey CL. Trunk Muscle Activation Patterns Differ Between Those With Low and High Back Extensor Strength During a Controlled Dynamic Task. Front Sports Act Living 2020; 1:67. [PMID: 33344990 PMCID: PMC7739608 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2019.00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
It is proposed that reduced function in one of the spinal systems (active, passive, and neural) outlined by Panjabi could increase the risk of experiencing a low back injury (LBI). Also proposed is that reduced function in any one system can be compensated for by adjusting the time-varying recruitment of trunk muscles. This study addressed whether those with reduced active system function (WEAK), measured as back extensor strength, would have different trunk muscle activation patterns than those with higher function (STRONG), and secondly whether this relationship would be modified following recovery from a LBI. Sixty men participated, 30 recently recovered from LBI (rLBI, 4–12 weeks post injury) and 30 who had not had a LBI in the last year (ASYM). ASYM and rLBI participants were separated into STRONG and WEAK sub-groups if their isometric back extensor strength was above or below their group median, respectively. Trunk electromyograms from 24 muscle sites were recorded during a highly controlled horizontal transfer task. Principal component analysis captured key muscle activation patterns (amplitude and temporal); then analysis of variance models tested for strength or group*strength effects on these patterns consistent with the two main objectives. Significant strength, or group by strength effects were found for 3/4 electromyographic comparisons. In general, the WEAK group required higher activation amplitudes of abdominal and back extensor muscles, and greater temporal responsiveness of back extensor muscles only to the changing external moments than those who were STRONG. Group by strength interactions found that participants in the rLBI group had greater differences between WEAK and STRONG participants for overall muscle activation amplitudes in both abdominal and back extensor muscles. This increase in muscle activation was interpreted as compensation for lower maximum force properties whereas the increased temporal responsiveness captured a greater need to modify the agonist back extensors muscle activation patterns only in response to changes in the dynamic moments. Interactions captured that the recent experience of pain (rLBI) modified the magnitude of adjustment in muscle activation patterns potentially adapting to an increased risk of instability (painful flare) events associated with a deficit (lower strength) of the active system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Adam Quirk
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,School of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Raymond D Trudel
- Physiotherapy, Department of National Defense, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Cheryl L Hubley-Kozey
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,School of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
van Leuteren RW, Hutten GJ, de Waal CG, Dixon P, van Kaam AH, de Jongh FH. Processing transcutaneous electromyography measurements of respiratory muscles, a review of analysis techniques. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2019; 48:176-186. [PMID: 31401341 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2019.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous electromyography (tc-EMG) has been used to measure the electrical activity of respiratory muscles during inspiration in various studies. Processing the raw tc-EMG signal of these inspiratory muscles has shown to be difficult as baseline noise, cardiac interference, cross-talk and motion artefacts can influence the signal quality. In this review we will discuss the most important sources of signal noise in tc-EMG of respiratory muscles and the various techniques described to suppress or reduce this signal noise. Furthermore, we will elaborate on the options available to develop or improve an algorithm that can be used to guide the approach for analysis of tc-EMG signals of inspiratory muscles in future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R W van Leuteren
- Department of Neonatology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - G J Hutten
- Department of Neonatology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Neonatology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - C G de Waal
- Department of Neonatology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - P Dixon
- Vyaire Medical, Basingstoke, United Kingdom
| | - A H van Kaam
- Department of Neonatology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Neonatology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - F H de Jongh
- Department of Neonatology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Costa Junior JD, de Seixas JM, Miranda de Sá AMFL. A template subtraction method for reducing electrocardiographic artifacts in EMG signals of low intensity. Biomed Signal Process Control 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
11
|
Quirk DA, Hubley-Kozey CL. Do Older Adults and Those Recovered from Low Back Injury Share Common Muscle Activation Adaptations? J Mot Behav 2018; 51:222-238. [PMID: 29694298 DOI: 10.1080/00222895.2018.1458280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Theoretical models suggest trunk muscle activation compensates for spinal systems impairments. The purpose of this study was to determine if two populations (older adults and those recovered from a lower back injury (rLBI)) with spinal system impairments have similar muscle activation patterns to each other, but differ from controls. Trunk electromyograms collected from 12 older adults, 16 rLBI, and 19 controls during two dynamic tasks showed that older adults and rLBI had higher activation amplitudes, sustained temporal and more synergistic activation relative to controls. However, differences found between older adults and rLBI suggest that spinal system impairments differed between groups or that recent pain (rLBI) uniquely influenced muscle activation. This sheds light on our understanding of the relationship between spinal system impairments and muscle activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Adam Quirk
- a School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University , Halifax , NS , Canada
| | - Cheryl L Hubley-Kozey
- a School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University , Halifax , NS , Canada.,b School of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University , Halifax , NS , Canada
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wochatz M, Rabe S, Wolter M, Engel T, Mueller S, Mayer F. Reproducibility of scapular muscle activity in isokinetic shoulder flexion and extension. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2017; 34:86-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2017.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
|
13
|
EMG Processing Based Measures of Fatigue Assessment during Manual Lifting. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:3937254. [PMID: 28303251 PMCID: PMC5337807 DOI: 10.1155/2017/3937254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Manual lifting is one of the common practices used in the industries to transport or move objects to a desired place. Nowadays, even though mechanized equipment is widely available, manual lifting is still considered as an essential way to perform material handling task. Improper lifting strategies may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), where overexertion contributes as the highest factor. To overcome this problem, electromyography (EMG) signal is used to monitor the workers' muscle condition and to find maximum lifting load, lifting height and number of repetitions that the workers are able to handle before experiencing fatigue to avoid overexertion. Past researchers have introduced several EMG processing techniques and different EMG features that represent fatigue indices in time, frequency, and time-frequency domain. The impact of EMG processing based measures in fatigue assessment during manual lifting are reviewed in this paper. It is believed that this paper will greatly benefit researchers who need a bird's eye view of the biosignal processing which are currently available, thus determining the best possible techniques for lifting applications.
Collapse
|
14
|
Ippolito G, Serrao M, Napoli F, Conte C, Miscusi M, Coppola G, Pierelli F, Costanzo G, De Cupis V. Three-dimensional analysis of the shoulder motion in patients with massive irreparable cuff tears after latissimus dorsi tendon transfer (LDT). Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2016; 136:1363-70. [PMID: 27498105 DOI: 10.1007/s00402-016-2547-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Latissimus dorsi tendon transfer (LDT) is a recent method for surgical treatment of massive, irreparable posterosuperior cuff tears (MIPCT). So far, there are no studies on the quantitative motion analysis of the shoulder and latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle activation after LDT. The changes in shoulder movements after LDT can be objectively assessed by the 3-D motion analysis. These changes may not be due to an increased activity of the LD muscle as external rotator. MATERIALS AND METHODS The shoulder kinematics of nine patients with MIPCT were recorded through a 3-D motion analysis system, before LTD (T0), and after 3 (T1) and 6 (T2) months post-LDT. Maximal shoulder flexion-extension, abduction-adduction, and horizontal abduction-adduction, and the internal and external circumduction of the shoulder joint were measured during upright standing posture. Surface EMG activity of the LD muscle was recorded during both internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) tasks in three different postures. RESULTS A significant increase of shoulder movements was observed at T2 compared with T0 for almost all motor tasks. A significant effect of LDT was also found on LD-IR/ER ratio in posture 1 at T2 compared with T0 and T1. No significant effects were found for the LD-IR/ER ratio in the other postures. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that LDT is effective in shoulder motion recovery. Such improvement is not associated with a change in function of the LD muscle, which may be induced by a depression of the humeral head into the glenoid cavity instead.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Ippolito
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Corso della Repubblica 79, 40100, Latina, Italy
| | - Mariano Serrao
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Corso della Repubblica 79, 40100, Latina, Italy. .,Movement Analysis LAB, Rehabilitation Centre Policlinico Italia, Piazza del Campidano 6, 00162, Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesco Napoli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Corso della Repubblica 79, 40100, Latina, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Miscusi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Corso della Repubblica 79, 40100, Latina, Italy
| | - Gianluca Coppola
- Department of Neurophysiology of Vision and Neurophthalmology, G.B. Bietti Foundation-IRCCS, Via Livenza 3, 00198, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Pierelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Corso della Repubblica 79, 40100, Latina, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Costanzo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Corso della Repubblica 79, 40100, Latina, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kurz E, Herbsleb M, Grassme R, Anders C, Hilberg T. Trunk muscle activation characteristics in patients with severe haemophilia. Haemophilia 2016; 23:122-128. [PMID: 27457342 DOI: 10.1111/hae.13037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recurrent bleeding episodes in patients with haemophilia (PWH) lead to joint alterations and therewith disturbed muscle coordination patterns. Major weight-bearing joints are affected most. However, possible effects on trunk muscle activity have not been examined so far. The objective of this work was to study consequences of haemarthropathy on characteristics of trunk muscles in PWH while standing on surfaces with different mechanical properties. METHODS Surface EMG of internal oblique (IO) and multifidus (MF) muscles were bilaterally recorded during a natural bilateral stance in 20 PWH with severe haemophilia A [age: 42 years (SD: 10)] and 25 non-haemophilic controls [NHC, 43 (12)]. Amplitude ratios, a symmetry index between sides and the co-activation ratio of IO over MF served as outcome measures and compared standing on three different surfaces (stable, soft, unsteady). RESULTS PWH revealed markedly restricted lower extremity joints (P < 0.001), but without any hint of back pain. Neither result revealed significant main or interaction effects of 'group' (P > 0.24). Group-independent analyses showed amplitude ratios (MF: P < 0.05) as well as symmetry indices (MF: P < 0.02) significantly altered by 'surface' in NHC only. Effects of utilizing soft vs. unsteady surfaces were not detectable (P > 0.77). CONCLUSION Utilizing unstable surfaces does not lead to altered trunk muscle activity in PWH. Differently than expected, a quite similar behaviour of lower trunk muscles in terms of applied indices can be found in PWH and NHC. Ascending alterations of muscle coordination in PWH could not be verified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Kurz
- Clinic for Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Division of Motor Research, Pathophysiology and Biomechanics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Department of Sports Medicine, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - M Herbsleb
- Department of Sports Medicine and Health Promotion, University of Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - R Grassme
- Clinic for Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Division of Motor Research, Pathophysiology and Biomechanics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Department of Prevention, Biomechanics, German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Foodstuffs and Catering Industry, Erfurt, Germany
| | - C Anders
- Clinic for Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Division of Motor Research, Pathophysiology and Biomechanics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - T Hilberg
- Department of Sports Medicine, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Estrada L, Torres A, Sarlabous L, Jané R. Improvement in Neural Respiratory Drive Estimation From Diaphragm Electromyographic Signals Using Fixed Sample Entropy. IEEE J Biomed Health Inform 2015; 20:476-85. [PMID: 25667362 DOI: 10.1109/jbhi.2015.2398934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Diaphragm electromyography is a valuable technique for the recording of electrical activity of the diaphragm. The analysis of diaphragm electromyographic (EMGdi) signal amplitude is an alternative approach for the quantification of the neural respiratory drive (NRD). The EMGdi signal is, however, corrupted by electrocardiographic (ECG) activity, and this presence of cardiac activity can make the EMGdi interpretation more difficult. Traditionally, the EMGdi amplitude has been estimated using the average rectified value (ARV) and the root mean square (RMS). In this study, surface EMGdi signals were analyzed using the fixed sample entropy (fSampEn) algorithm, and compared to the traditional ARV and RMS methods. The fSampEn is calculated using a tolerance value fixed and independent of the standard deviation of the analysis window. Thus, this method quantifies the amplitude of the complex components of stochastic signals (such as EMGdi), and being less affected by changes in amplitude due to less complex components (such as ECG). The proposed method was tested in synthetic and recorded EMGdi signals. fSampEn was less sensitive to the effect of cardiac activity on EMGdi signals with different levels of NRD than ARV and RMS amplitude parameters. The mean and standard deviation of the Pearson's correlation values between inspiratory mouth pressure (an indirect measure of the respiratory muscle activity) and fSampEn, ARV, and RMS parameters, estimated in the recorded EMGdi signal at tidal volume (without inspiratory load), were 0.38±0.12, 0.27±0.11 , and 0.11±0.13, respectively. Whereas at 33 cmH2O (maximum inspiratory load) were 0.83±0.02, 0.76±0.07, and 0.61±0.19 , respectively. Our findings suggest that the proposed method may improve the evaluation of NRD.
Collapse
|
17
|
Ranavolo A, Mari S, Conte C, Serrao M, Silvetti A, Iavicoli S, Draicchio F. A new muscle co-activation index for biomechanical load evaluation in work activities. ERGONOMICS 2015; 58:966-979. [PMID: 25555042 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2014.991764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Low-back disorders (LBDs) are the most common and costly musculoskeletal problem. Muscle co-activation, a mechanism that stabilises the spine, is adopted by the central nervous system to provide added protection and avoid LBDs. However, during high-risk lifting tasks, the compressive load on the spine grows owing to increased co-activation. The aim of this study was to develop a method for the sample-by-sample monitoring of the co-activation of more than two muscles, and to compare this method with agonist-antagonist methods. We propose a time-varying multi-muscle co-activation function that considers electromyographic (EMG) signals as input. EMG data of 10 healthy subjects were recorded while they manually lifted loads at three progressively heavier conditions. The repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant effect of lifting condition on our co-activation index. Heavier conditions resulted in higher muscle co-activation values. Significant correlations were found between the time-varying multi-muscle co-activation index and other agonist-antagonist methods. Practitioner Summary: We have developed a method to quantify muscle co-activation during the execution of a lifting task. To do this we used surface electromyography. Our algorithm provides a measure of time-varying co-activation between more than two muscles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Ranavolo
- a Department of Occupational Medicine , INAIL, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, Rome 00040 , Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Effects of electrocardiography contamination and comparison of ECG removal methods on upper trapezius electromyography recordings. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2014; 24:902-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2013] [Revised: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
|
19
|
Quirk DA, Hubley-Kozey CL. Age-related changes in trunk neuromuscular activation patterns during a controlled functional transfer task include amplitude and temporal synergies. Hum Mov Sci 2014; 38:262-80. [PMID: 25457424 DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2014.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2014] [Revised: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
While healthy aging is associated with physiological changes that can impair control of trunk motion, few studies examine how spinal muscle responses change with increasing age. This study examined whether older (over 65 years) compared to younger (20-45 years) adults had higher overall amplitude and altered temporal recruitment patterns of trunk musculature when performing a functional transfer task. Surface electromyograms from twelve bilateral trunk muscle (24) sites were analyzed using principal component analysis, extracting amplitude and temporal features (PCs) from electromyographic waveforms. Two PCs explained 96% of the waveform variance. Three factor ANOVA models tested main effects (group, muscle and reach) and interactions for PC scores. Significant (p<.0125) group interactions were found for all PC scores. Post hoc analysis revealed that relative to younger adults, older adults recruited higher agonist and antagonistic activity, demonstrated continuous activation levels in specific muscle sites despite changing external moments, and had altered temporal synergies within abdominal and back musculature. In summary both older and younger adults recruit highly organized activation patterns in response to changing external moments. Differences in temporal trunk musculature recruitment patterns suggest that older adults experience different dynamic spinal stiffness and loading compared to younger adults during a functional lifting task.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Adam Quirk
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Cheryl L Hubley-Kozey
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; School of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Abbaspour S, Fallah A. A combination method for electrocardiogram rejection from surface electromyogram. Open Biomed Eng J 2014; 8:13-9. [PMID: 24772195 PMCID: PMC3999703 DOI: 10.2174/1874120701408010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Revised: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The electrocardiogram signal which represents the electrical activity of the heart provides interference in the
recording of the electromyogram signal, when the electromyogram signal is recorded from muscles close to the heart.
Therefore, due to impurities, electromyogram signals recorded from this area cannot be used. In this paper, a new method
was developed using a combination of artificial neural network and wavelet transform approaches, to eliminate the electrocardiogram
artifact from electromyogram signals and improve results. For this purpose, contaminated signal is initially
cleaned using the neural network. With this process, a large amount of noise can be removed. However, low-frequency
noise components remain in the signal that can be removed using wavelet. Finally, the result of the proposed method is
compared with other methods that were used in different papers to remove electrocardiogram from electromyogram. In
this paper in order to compare methods, qualitative and quantitative criteria such as signal to noise ratio, relative error,
power spectrum density and coherence have been investigated for evaluation and comparison. The results of signal to
noise ratio and relative error are equal to 15.6015 and 0.0139, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Abbaspour
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Fallah
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Driussi C, Ius A, Bizzarini E, Antonini-Canterin F, d'Andrea A, Bossone E, Vriz O. Structural and functional left ventricular impairment in subjects with chronic spinal cord injury and no overt cardiovascular disease. J Spinal Cord Med 2014; 37:85-92. [PMID: 24456485 PMCID: PMC4066555 DOI: 10.1179/2045772313y.0000000161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in subjects with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI). More specific recommendations for CVD prevention in this population are needed. METHODS One hundred thirty male subjects (47 subjects with SCI and 83 able-bodied persons (ABPs), mean age 43.89 ± 1.9 and 45.44 ± 12.2 years; P = 0.48) underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). The effects of age, weight, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and level of physical training on cardiac adaptations were evaluated through multiple regression analysis. RESULTS In subjects with SCI, TTE revealed increased wall thickness (P < 0.05), lower E wave, E/A ratio and early diastolic myocardial relaxation velocity on Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) (P < 0.05) and higher systolic myocardial contraction velocity on TDI (0.10 ± 0.02 vs. 0.09 ± 0.02 m/seconds, P = 0.002) and peak systolic pressure to end-systolic volume ratio (3.62 ± 1.39 vs. 2.82 ± 0.90, P < 0.001) compared with ABPs. Aortic diameters were larger in subjects with SCI than ABPs. Differences remained statistically significant even after adjustment for age, weight, MAP, and level of physical training. Weight and age were found to be independent variables that substantially affected left ventricular structure and function in subjects with SCI. CONCLUSIONS Subjects with post-traumatic chronic SCI and no overt cardiovascular risk factors, exhibit initial left ventricular remodeling (as assessed by TTE) compared with ABPs. Lifestyle modifications, including regular physical exercise and weight control, should be implemented in all subjects with SCI, even at a very early stage, in order to reduce cardiovascular risk and prevent the development of CVD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Driussi
- Correspondence to: Caterina Driussi, Department of Emergency and Cardiology, San Antonio Community Hospital, Via Trento-Trieste, 33038 San Daniele del Friuli, Udine, Italy.
| | - Arianna Ius
- Cardiology and Emergency Department, San Antonio Hospital, San Daniele del Friuli, Udine, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Eduardo Bossone
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy
| | - Olga Vriz
- Cardiology and Emergency Department, San Antonio Hospital, San Daniele del Friuli, Udine, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Comparing surface and indwelling electromyographic signals of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles during submaximal axial humeral rotation. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2013; 23:1343-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2013.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2012] [Revised: 08/02/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
|
23
|
Da Gama AEF, de Andrade Carvalho L, Feitosa LA, do Nascimento Junior JF, da Silva MGNM, Amorim CF, Aliverti A, Lambertz D, Rodrigues MAB, de Andrade AD. Acute effects of incremental inspiratory loads on compartmental chest wall volume and predominant activity frequency of inspiratory muscle. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2013; 23:1269-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2013.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2012] [Revised: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
|
24
|
Moreside JM, Quirk DA, Hubley-Kozey CL. Temporal patterns of the trunk muscles remain altered in a low back-injured population despite subjective reports of recovery. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2013; 95:686-98. [PMID: 24139985 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2013.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Revised: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare temporal activation patterns from 24 abdominal and lumbar muscles between healthy subjects and those who reported recovery from recent low back injury (LBI). DESIGN Cross-sectional comparative study. SETTING University neuromuscular function laboratory. PARTICIPANTS Healthy adult volunteers (N=81; 30 LBI, 51 asymptomatic subjects). INTERVENTIONS Trunk muscle electromyographic activity was collected during 2 difficulty levels of a supine trunk stability test aimed at challenging lumbopelvic control. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Principal component (PC) analysis was applied to determine differences in temporal and/or amplitude electromyographic patterns between groups. Mixed-model analyses of variance were performed on PC scores that explained more than 89% of the variance (α=.05). RESULTS Four PCs explained 89% and 96% of the variance for the abdominal and back muscles, respectively, with both muscle groups having similar shapes in the first 3 PCs. Significant interactions or group main effects were found for all PC scores except PC4 for the back extensors. Overall activation amplitudes for both the abdominal and back muscles (PC1 scores) were significantly (P<.05) higher for the LBI group, with both abdominal and back muscles of the LBI group demonstrating an increased response to the leg-loading phase (PC2 scores) compared with the asymptomatic group. Differences were also found between groups in their preparatory activity (PC3 scores), with the LBI group having a higher early relative amplitude of abdominal and back extensor activity. CONCLUSIONS Despite perceived readiness to return to work and low pain scores, muscle activation patterns remained altered in this LBI group, including reduced synergistic coactivation and increased overall amplitudes as well as greater relative amplitude differences during specific phases of the movement. Electromyographic measures provide objective information to help guide therapy and may assist with determining the level of healing and return-to-work readiness after an LBI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janice M Moreside
- School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health Professions, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Professions, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - D Adam Quirk
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Health Professions, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Cheryl L Hubley-Kozey
- School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health Professions, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Professions, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Health Professions, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Co-contractive activation of the superficial multifidus during volitional preemptive abdominal contraction. PM R 2013; 6:13-21. [PMID: 24041586 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2013.08.606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2012] [Revised: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the superficial multifidus (MF) muscle at the lower lumbar spine displayed co-contraction during volitional preemptive abdominal contraction (VPAC) through the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) or the abdominal bracing maneuver (ABM) in 3 different postural positions. DESIGN A within-subject cohort design. SETTING A clinical laboratory. PARTICIPANTS A healthy convenience sample of 21 women and 13 men; mean age (SD), 25.5 ± 6.5 years. METHODS We collected surface electromyographic measurements for the superficial MF at the L5 vertebral level and abdominal wall muscles. Ultrasound imaging was used during screening and testing sessions for confirming transverse abdominis muscle activation while subjects maintained a relaxed state without volitional abdominal contraction (no-VPAC) and performed ADIM and ABM in 3 postural positions: supine, 4-point kneeling, and upright standing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT The frequency of superficial MF co-contraction occurrences (percentage of the total number of conditions) was measured during ADIM and ABM in 3 different postural positions. DATA ANALYSES A Cochran Q test for k-related samples (α = 0.05) was used for data analysis. RESULTS Activation of the abdominal wall by using either VPAC strategy resulted in a significantly greater MF co-contraction occurrence when compared with no-VPAC in each position. The ABM produced a significantly higher MF co-contractive occurrence versus the ADIM in the supine position. CONCLUSION Both VPAC strategies produced a co-contractive MF response, which appears to be important for lumbar segmental stabilization and control. Analysis of the results suggests that VPAC strategies are appropriate for coactivating the MF, which can enhance spinal protection and rehabilitation responses.
Collapse
|
26
|
Butler HL, Hubley-Kozey CL, Kozey JW. Changes in electromyographic activity of trunk muscles within the sub-acute phase for individuals deemed recovered from a low back injury. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2012.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
|
27
|
Hubley-Kozey CL, Butler HL, Kozey JW. Activation amplitude and temporal synchrony among back extensor and abdominal muscles during a controlled transfer task: Comparison of men and women. Hum Mov Sci 2012; 31:863-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2011.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2011] [Revised: 07/29/2011] [Accepted: 08/14/2011] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
28
|
Willigenburg NW, Daffertshofer A, Kingma I, van Dieën JH. Removing ECG contamination from EMG recordings: A comparison of ICA-based and other filtering procedures. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2012; 22:485-93. [PMID: 22296869 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2012.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2011] [Revised: 12/07/2011] [Accepted: 01/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
|
29
|
Hanada EY, Johnson M, Hubley-Kozey C. A comparison of trunk muscle activation amplitudes during gait in older adults with and without chronic low back pain. PM R 2012; 3:920-8. [PMID: 22024323 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2011.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2011] [Revised: 05/25/2011] [Accepted: 06/12/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate abdominal and low back muscle activation amplitudes of older adults (at least 50 years of age) experiencing nonspecific chronic low back pain (LBP) and of adults without LBP while they walked on a level surface at a self-selected speed. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Dynamics of human motion laboratory. PARTICIPANTS Nine asymptomatic control participants (mean ± standard deviation: 64.9 ± 8.8 years) and 9 participants experiencing LBP (61.4 ± 9.8 years) were selected for this study. METHODS Surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded over the bilateral lower rectus abdomini, internal obliques, lateral erector spinae longissimus, and lumbar multifidus muscle sites while participants walked across a pressure-sensor mat at a self-selected speed. To normalize EMG amplitudes during gait, the participants performed a series of maximal voluntary isometric contractions. EMG signals were full-wave rectified and low-pass filtered to yield a linear envelop waveform. For the gait trials, a window was identified from right heel strike to the second left heel strike and 4 subphases, including right and left loading response and mid stance, were identified. EMG amplitudes were calculated for each subphase. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Two sample t-tests compared demographic information and spatiotemporal gait parameters between groups. EMG activation amplitude differences between groups and among subphases of gait were analyzed for each muscle with use of general linear models, followed by Tukey honestly significant difference post hoc comparisons. RESULTS No differences were found between the groups for demographic or gait parameters. The control group participants activated their lower rectus abdomini muscles (P < .05) and right internal oblique muscles significantly more than did the LBP group (P < .05), whereas the LBP group activated their left lateral erector spinae and both lumbar multifidi sites significantly more than did the control group (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS The activation amplitudes of the anterior muscle sites were lower for participants with LBP, whereas the posterior sites were activated to higher amplitudes than in the control group. Although most muscles responded to the subphases indicating muscle synergies, the group by muscle interactions for the right internal oblique and lateral erector spinae show that the differences between groups were not systematic. These results describe neuromuscular alterations in persons between 50-80 years with LBP that can be used for developing subject-specific management related to maintaining spinal stability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edwin Y Hanada
- Nova Scotia Rehabilitation Centre Site, Dalhousie University, Capital District Health Authority, 1341 Summer St, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4K4, Canada.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Costa Junior JD, Ferreira DD, Nadal J, Miranda de Sa AL. Reducing electrocardiographic artifacts from electromyogram signals with independent component analysis. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2011; 2010:4598-601. [PMID: 21096226 DOI: 10.1109/iembs.2010.5626507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to reduce ECG artifacts from surface electromyogram (EMG) signals collected from lumbar muscles with the blind source separation technique based on independent component analysis (ICA). Using four EMG signals collected above erector spinal lumbar muscles from 27 subjects, the proposed method fail in separating the sources. However, when considering a single channel of EMG and the same one time-shifted by one sample, the FastICA allowed reducing the signal to ECG noise ratio.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J D Costa Junior
- Biomedical Engineering Program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, P. O. Box 68510, ZIP 21941-972, Brazil.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
An automated ECG-artifact removal method for trunk muscle surface EMG recordings. Med Eng Phys 2010; 32:840-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2010.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2009] [Revised: 05/19/2010] [Accepted: 05/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
32
|
Butler HL, Lariviere C, Hubley-Kozey CL, Sullivan MJL. Directed attention alters the temporal activation patterns of back extensors during trunk flexion-extension in individuals with chronic low back pain. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY, THE EUROPEAN SPINAL DEFORMITY SOCIETY, AND THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE RESEARCH SOCIETY 2010; 19:1508-16. [PMID: 20473625 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-010-1403-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2009] [Revised: 02/08/2010] [Accepted: 04/04/2010] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In chronic low back pain patients (CLBP), neuromuscular and pain intensity have been identified as contributing factors in the disability of the individual. However, it is unclear whether pain intensity influences neuromuscular activation and if directed attention mediates this relationship. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of directed attention in individuals with different pain intensities on back extensor activation profiles. Fifty-four CLBP patients were separated into either high- or low-pain groups. Surface electromyograms were recorded from back muscles while the subjects performed a trunk flexion motion for four different attention conditions. Pattern recognition and repeated measures ANOVAs were used to examine the effect of sex, attention and pain intensity on temporal muscle activation patterns. The results showed that there was a significant sex x attention x pain interaction. The largest changes in muscle timing were observed in the low-pain group when their attention was focused on their pain, but the pattern of muscle activation differed between sexes. For males, a rapid decline in activation at mid-extension occurred, whereas females showed delayed activation at the beginning of extension. Overall, this study demonstrated that directed attention on pain had an effect on trunk muscle temporal recruitment, and that this relationship differed between sexes and pain groups. This suggests that sex-specific mechanisms may alter the neuromuscular control of the spine in CLBP patients for different pain levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Butler
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, 1205 Dr Penfield, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Butler HL, Hubley-Kozey CL, Kozey JW. Characterisation of trunk muscle activation amplitude patterns during a simulated checkstand operation with continuously changing flexor and lateral moment demands. ERGONOMICS 2010; 53:685-695. [PMID: 20432088 DOI: 10.1080/00140131003671991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
While the typical physical exposure to modern-day workers has changed from heavy to low level repetitive demands, there is limited research that examines light occupations. This study examined trunk muscle recruitment strategies in response to a simulated checkout operation. Surface electromyography and kinematic variables were recorded from 29 healthy subjects. Four principal patterns accounted for 95.3% of the variation. Significant differences in scores captured different strategies in response to reach conditions and external moment directions. Synergistic co-activation of ipsilateral back sites and differential activation among external oblique and erector spinae sites suggests that the central nervous system may control different regions of the trunk musculature to optimally account for asymmetrical demands. The strategy between the internal oblique and back extensor sites suggests that a specific co-activation strategy may be needed during lighter work. During low-load occupational tasks, several recruitment strategies were required to maintain spinal stability and account for changing external moments. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: Different recruitment strategies found in response to changing external moments offer new insights into neuromuscular control for lighter work. Specifically, multiple trunk muscle sites interact in a complex manner, taking into account task specificity and individual variation that are valuable in workstation design, evaluating injury risk and estimating spinal loads.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Butler
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
A simple method to remove ECG artifacts from trunk muscle EMG signals. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2009; 19:e554-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2008.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2008] [Revised: 11/24/2008] [Accepted: 11/25/2008] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
|
35
|
Hubley-Kozey CL, Hanada EY, Gordon S, Kozey J, McKeon M. Differences in Abdominal Muscle Activation Patterns of Younger and Older Adults Performing an Asymmetric Leg-Loading Task. PM R 2009; 1:1004-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2009.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2009] [Revised: 09/17/2009] [Accepted: 09/24/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
36
|
Activation amplitude patterns do not change for back muscles but are altered for abdominal muscles between dominant and non-dominant hands during one-handed lifts. Eur J Appl Physiol 2009; 106:95-104. [DOI: 10.1007/s00421-009-0994-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/14/2009] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
37
|
The feasibility of measuring the activation of the trunk muscles in healthy older adults during trunk stability exercises. BMC Geriatr 2008; 8:33. [PMID: 19055822 PMCID: PMC2651173 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2318-8-33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2008] [Accepted: 12/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the older adult population increases, the potential functional and clinical burden of trunk muscle dysfunction may be significant. An evaluation of risk factors including the impact of the trunk muscles in terms of their temporal firing patterns, amplitudes of activation, and contribution to spinal stability is required. Therefore, the specific purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of measuring the activation of trunk muscles in healthy older adults during specific leg exercises with trunk stabilization. METHODS 12 asymptomatic adults 65 to 75 years of age were included in the study. Participants performed a series of trunk stability exercises, while bilateral activation of abdominal and back extensor muscles was recorded by 24 pairs of Meditrace surface electrodes. Maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) were performed for electromyographic (EMG) normalization purposes. EMG waveforms were generated and amplitude measures as a percentage of MVIC were calculated along with ensemble average profiles. 3D kinematics data were also recorded, using an electromagnetic sensor placed at the left lateral iliac crest. Furthermore, a qualitative assessment was conducted to establish the participant's ability to complete all experimental tasks. RESULTS Excellent quality abdominal muscle activation data were recorded during the tasks. Participants performed the trunk stability exercises with an unsteady, intermittent motion, but were able to keep pelvic motion to less than 10 degrees . The EMG amplitudes showed that during these exercises, on average, the older adults recruited their abdominal muscles from 15-34% of MVIC and back extensors to less than 10% of MVIC. There were similarities among the abdominal muscle profiles. No participants reported pain during the testing session, although 3 (25%) of the participants reported delayed onset muscle soreness during follow up that was not functionally limiting. CONCLUSION Older adults were able to successfully complete the trunk stability protocol that was developed for younger adults with some minor modifications. The collected EMG amplitudes were higher than those reported in the literature for young healthy adults. The temporal waveforms for the abdominal muscles showed a degree of synchrony among muscles, except for the early activation from the internal oblique prior to lifting the leg off the table.
Collapse
|