Innate Muscle Patterns Reproduction During Afferent Somatosensory Input With Vojta Therapy in Healthy Adults. A Randomized Controlled Trial

The Validity and Reliability of a Real-Time Biofeedback System for Lumbopelvic Control Training in Baseball Players

BACKGROUND

This study validates real-time biofeedback for lumbopelvic control training in baseball. The lumbopelvic region is crucial for generating kinetic energy in pitching. Real-time biofeedback enhances training effectiveness and reduces injury risk. The validity and reliability of this system were examined.

PURPOSE

This study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the real-time biofeedback system for lumbopelvic control training.

METHODS

Twelve baseball players participated in this study, with data collected in two sessions separated by a week. All participants needed to do the lateral slide exercise and single-leg squat exercise in each session. Pelvic angles detected by the real-time biofeedback system were compared to the three-dimensional motion capture system (VICON) during training sessions. Additionally, pelvic angles measured by the biofeedback system were compared between the two training sessions.

RESULTS

The real-time biofeedback system exhibited moderate to strong correlations with VICON in both exercises: lateral slide exercise (r = 0.66-0.88, p < 0.05) and single-leg squat exercise (r = 0.70-0.85, p < 0.05). Good to excellent reliability was observed between the first and second sessions for both exercises: lateral slide exercise (ICC = 0.76-0.97) and single-leg squat exercise (ICC = 0.79-0.90).

CONCLUSIONS

The real-time biofeedback system for lumbopelvic control training, accurately providing the correct pelvic angle during training, could enhance training effectiveness.

Critical review of the evidence for Vojta Therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

It is essential to link the theoretical framework of any neurophysiotherapy approach with a detailed analysis of the central motor control mechanisms that influence motor behavior. Vojta therapy (VT) falls within interventions aiming to modify neuronal activity. Although it is often mistakenly perceived as exclusively pediatric, its utility spans various functional disorders by acting on central pattern modulation. This study aims to review the existing evidence on the effectiveness of VT across a wide range of conditions, both in the adult population and in pediatrics, and analyze common therapeutic mechanisms, focusing on motor control modulation.

Aim

The goals of this systematic review are to delineate the existing body of evidence concerning the efficacy of Vojta therapy (VT) in treating a broad range of conditions, as well as understand the common therapeutic mechanisms underlying VT with a specific focus on the neuromodulation of motor control parameters.

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched for eligible studies. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the PEDro list and the Risk-Of-Bias Tool to assess the risk of bias in randomized trials. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Risk-Of-Bias Tool for randomized trials. Random-effects meta-analyses with 95% CI were used to quantify the change scores between the VT and control groups. The certainty of our findings (the closeness of the estimated effect to the true effect) was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE).

Results

Fifty-five studies were included in the qualitative analysis and 18 in the meta-analysis. Significant differences in cortical activity (p = 0.0001) and muscle activity (p = 0.001) were observed in adults undergoing VT compared to the control, as well as in balance in those living with multiple sclerosis (p < 0.03). Non-significant differences were found in the meta-analysis when evaluating gross motor function, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, height, and head circumference in pediatrics.

Conclusion

Although current evidence supporting VT is limited in quality, there are indications suggesting its potential usefulness for the treatment of respiratory, neurological, and orthopedic pathology. This systematic review and meta-analysis show the robustness of the neurophysiological mechanisms of VT, and that it could be an effective tool for the treatment of balance in adult neurological pathology. Neuromodulation of motor control areas has been confirmed by research focusing on the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of VT.Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=476848, CRD42023476848.

Synergy of Muscle and Cortical Activation through Vojta Reflex Locomotion Therapy in Young Healthy Adults: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Vojta Therapy is a neurorehabilitation therapy that allows to activate reflex movement patterns. The scientific literature has shown its ability to generate muscle contractions. The activation of brain neural networks has also been proven. However, the relationship between these processes has not yet been demonstrated. For this reason, the aim of this study is to verify brain activation produced by recording with near-infrared spectroscopy and its relationship with muscle activation produced in the abdominal muscles recorded with surface electromyography.

METHODS

A total sample of 27 healthy subjects over 18 years of age was recruited. An experimental study on a cohort was conducted. Two experimental conditions were considered: stimuli according to the Vojta protocol, and a control non-stimuli condition. Abdominal muscle activation was measured using surface electromyography, and the activation of the motor cortex was assessed with near-infrared spectroscopy.

RESULTS

In relation to the oxygenated hemoglobin concentration (HbO), an interaction between the stimulation phase and group was observed. Specifically, the Vojta stimulation group exhibited an increase in concentration from the baseline phase to the first resting period in the right hemisphere, contralateral to the stimulation area. This rise coincided with an enhanced wavelet coherence between the HbO concentration and the electromyography (EMG) signal within a gamma frequency band (very low frequency) during the first resting period.

CONCLUSIONS

The results underscore the neurophysiological effects on the brain following tactile stimulation via Vojta Therapy, highlighting increased activity in pivotal areas essential for sensory processing, motor planning, and control. This activation, particularly evident in the Vojta stimulation group, aligns with previous findings, suggesting that tactile stimuli can not only evoke the intention to move but can also initiate actual muscle contractions, emphasizing the therapy's potential in enhancing innate locomotion and rolling movements in patients with neurological disorders.

Electromyographic Response of the Abdominal Muscles and Stabilizers of the Trunk to Reflex Locomotion Therapy (RLT). A Preliminary Study

Reflex locomotion therapy (RLT) was developed by Vaclav Vojta in 1954 as a diagnostic and treatment tool. This therapy is mainly used to rehabilitate children with motor disorders and risk of cerebral palsy. It is also used for adults with neurological and motor impairment. RLT is based on specific postures and regular stimulation points through which a series of reflex responses are triggered. The neurophysiological mechanisms of this therapy have recently been discovered. This study aims to objectively evaluate muscular responses at the abdominal level after stimulation in the first phase of reflex rolling by showing, with surface electromyography analysis (sEMG), the muscular activity in trunk stabilizing muscles (rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and serratus anterior) before, during, and after the application of RLT. A total sample of 27 healthy subjects over 18 years of age was recruited. An experimental study on a cohort was conducted. Two experimental conditions were considered: stimuli according to the Vojta protocol, and a control non-STI condition. Regarding muscular electrical activity, statistically significant differences were determined in all muscles during right-sided stimulation in the VSTI condition (p < 0.001), but not in the non-STI condition. The mean increase in muscle activity in the VSTI condition during the first stimulation ranged from 7% to 20% in the different abdominal muscles. In conclusion, an sEMG response was observed in the abdominal muscles during stimulation of the pectoral area as described in RLT, compared to stimulation of non-described areas.

Reflex Locomotion Therapy for Balance, Gait, and Fatigue Rehabilitation in Subjects with Multiple Sclerosis

This study evaluates the effects of a rehabilitation program based on reflex locomotion therapy (RLT) on balance, gait, and fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Twenty-three patients diagnosed with MS participated in this study. Reversal design was carried out. The assessment tools included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the instrumental analysis of the gait recorded by Vicon Motion System^®. We analyzed spatio-temporal parameters and kinematic variables of the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Additionally, the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) was administrated. We did find a significant improvement in balance and gait tools after the RLT period. Regarding instrumental analysis, the statistical analysis of spatio-temporal parameters showed a significant improvement in stride length, double support, and velocity after the RLT period. Concerning kinematic parameters, the analysis showed improvements in hip and knee range of motion (ROM) after RLT period. RLT could improve gait and balance in patients with MS. The patients reported a high level of satisfaction with the therapy received.