1
|
Tulimieri DT, Semrau JA. Impaired proprioception and magnified scaling of proprioceptive error responses in chronic stroke. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2024; 21:51. [PMID: 38594762 PMCID: PMC11003069 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-024-01350-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous work has shown that ~ 50-60% of individuals have impaired proprioception after stroke. Typically, these studies have identified proprioceptive impairments using a narrow range of reference movements. While this has been important for identifying the prevalence of proprioceptive impairments, it is unknown whether these error responses are consistent for a broad range of reference movements. The objective of this study was to characterize proprioceptive accuracy as function of movement speed and distance in stroke. METHODS Stroke (N = 25) and controls (N = 21) completed a robotic proprioception test that varied movement speed and distance. Participants mirror-matched various reference movement speeds (0.1-0.4 m/s) and distances (7.5-17.5 cm). Spatial and temporal parameters known to quantify proprioception were used to determine group differences in proprioceptive accuracy, and whether patterns of proprioceptive error were consistent across testing conditions within and across groups. RESULTS Overall, we found that stroke participants had impaired proprioception compared to controls. Proprioceptive errors related to tested reference movement scaled similarly to controls, but some errors showed amplified scaling (e.g., significantly overshooting or undershooting reference speed). Further, interaction effects were present for speed and distance reference combinations at the extremes of the testing distribution. CONCLUSIONS We found that stroke participants have impaired proprioception and that some proprioceptive errors were dependent on characteristics of the movement (e.g., speed) and that reference movements at the extremes of the testing distribution resulted in significantly larger proprioceptive errors for the stroke group. Understanding how sensory information is utilized across a broad spectrum of movements after stroke may aid design of rehabilitation programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Duncan Thibodeau Tulimieri
- Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware, Newark, USA
- Program in Biomechanics and Movement Science (BIOMS), University of Delaware, 100 Discovery Blvd, Tower at STAR, Rm 234, Newark, DE, 19713, USA
| | - Jennifer A Semrau
- Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware, Newark, USA.
- Program in Biomechanics and Movement Science (BIOMS), University of Delaware, 100 Discovery Blvd, Tower at STAR, Rm 234, Newark, DE, 19713, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cheng X, Yang J, Hao Z, Li Y, Fu R, Zu Y, Ma J, Lo WLA, Yu Q, Zhang G, Wang C. The effects of proprioceptive weighting changes on posture control in patients with chronic low back pain: a cross-sectional study. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1144900. [PMID: 37273697 PMCID: PMC10235490 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1144900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) exhibit changes in proprioceptive weighting and impaired postural control. This study aimed to investigate proprioceptive weighting changes in patients with CLBP and their influence on posture control. Methods Sixteen patients with CLBP and 16 healthy controls were recruited. All participants completed the joint reposition test sense (JRS) and threshold to detect passive motion test (TTDPM). The absolute errors (AE) of the reposition and perception angles were recorded. Proprioceptive postural control was tested by applying vibrations to the triceps surae or lumbar paravertebral muscles while standing on a stable or unstable force plate. Sway length and sway velocity along the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions were assessed. Relative proprioceptive weighting (RPW) was used to evaluate the proprioception reweighting ability. Higher values indicated increased reliance on calf proprioception. Results There was no significant difference in age, gender, and BMI between subjects with and without CLBP. The AE and motion perception angle in the CLBP group were significantly higher than those in the control group (JRS of 15°: 2.50 (2.50) vs. 1.50 (1.42), JRS of 35°: 3.83 (3.75) vs. 1.67 (2.00), pJRS < 0.01; 1.92 (1.18) vs. 0.68 (0.52), pTTDPM < 0.001). The CLBP group demonstrated a significantly higher RPW value than the healthy controls on an unstable surface (0.58 ± 0.21 vs. 0.41 ± 0.26, p < 0.05). Under the condition of triceps surae vibration, the sway length (pstable < 0.05; punstable < 0.001), AP velocity (pstable < 0.01; punstable < 0.001) and ML velocity (punstable < 0.05) had significant group main effects. Moreover, when the triceps surae vibrated under the unstable surface, the differences during vibration and post vibration in sway length and AP velocity between the groups were significantly higher in the CLBP group than in the healthy group (p < 0.05). However, under the condition of lumbar paravertebral muscle vibration, no significant group main effect was observed. Conclusion The patients with CLBP exhibited impaired dynamic postural control in response to disturbances, potentially linked to changes in proprioceptive weighting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Cheng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiajia Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zengming Hao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruochen Fu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yao Zu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinjin Ma
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wai Leung Ambrose Lo
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rehabilitation Medicine and Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiuhua Yu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guifang Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chuhuai Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
The Effect of Acupuncture on Elbow Joint Sports Injuries Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2022; 2022:9005792. [PMID: 35419078 PMCID: PMC9001099 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9005792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Purpose. Elbow joint injuries are extremely common in most athletes. Athletes’ chronic elbow injuries can involve multiple complex anatomical structures related to orthopedics. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore the characteristics of magnetic resonance (MR) images of chronic sports injuries of the elbow joint and the influence of acupuncture treatment on MR images and clinical symptoms. Methods. A total of 60 elbow joints of 39 athletes from 15-25 years old were selected for coronal, sagittal, and axial MR scans to observe the image characteristics; 60 elbow joints were randomly divided into acupuncture group and control group and observed changes in MR images and clinical symptoms after acupuncture treatment. Results. After acupuncture treatment, the clinical symptoms were significantly improved. MR images showed that the elbow joint effusion was reduced, and the bone marrow edema was reduced. The effective rate of acupuncture treatment is as high as 100%, while the effective rate of the control group is only 40%. Acupuncture treatment has significantly improved the range of motion of the elbow joint. Conclusion. Acupuncture treatment can significantly relieve athletes’ elbow joint pain and locking symptoms, improve joint range of motion, and is beneficial to recovery of special training and high-level competitive competitions. It is a sensitive, effective, and noninvasive method.
Collapse
|
4
|
Laprevotte J, Papaxanthis C, Saltarelli S, Quercia P, Gaveau J. Movement detection thresholds reveal proprioceptive impairments in developmental dyslexia. Sci Rep 2021; 11:299. [PMID: 33431949 PMCID: PMC7801726 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79612-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Developmental dyslexia is associated with vision and hearing impairments. Whether these impairments are causes or comorbidities is controversial. Because both senses are heavily involved in reading, cognitive theories argue that sensory impairments are comorbidities that result from a lack of reading practice. Sensory theories instead argue that this is sensory impairments that cause reading disabilities. Here we test a discriminant prediction: whether sensory impairments in developmental dyslexia are restrained to reading-related senses or encompass other senses. Sensory theories predict that all senses are affected, whereas, according to the lack of reading practice argument, cognitive theories predict that only reading-related senses are affected. Using a robotic ergometer and fully automatized analyses, we tested proprioceptive acuity in seventeen dyslexic children and seventeen age-matched controls on a movement detection task. Compared to controls, dyslexics had higher and more variable detection thresholds. For the weakest proprioceptive stimuli, dyslexics were twice as long and twice as variable as controls. More, proprioceptive acuity strongly correlated with reading abilities, as measured by blind cognitive evaluations. These results unravel a new sensory impairment that cannot be attributed to a lack of reading practice, providing clear support to sensory theories of developmental dyslexia. Protocol registration: This protocol is part of the following registration, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03364010; December 6, 2017.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie Laprevotte
- INSERM UMR1093-CAPS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, UFR des Sciences du Sport, Dijon, France
| | - Charalambos Papaxanthis
- INSERM UMR1093-CAPS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, UFR des Sciences du Sport, Dijon, France
| | - Sophie Saltarelli
- Centre de Formation Universitaire en Orthophonie, Université de Franche-Comté, UFR Sciences de La Santé, Besançon, France
| | - Patrick Quercia
- INSERM UMR1093-CAPS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, UFR des Sciences du Sport, Dijon, France
| | - Jeremie Gaveau
- INSERM UMR1093-CAPS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, UFR des Sciences du Sport, Dijon, France.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Djajadikarta ZJ, Gandevia SC, Taylor JL. Age has no effect on ankle proprioception when movement history is controlled. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2020; 128:1365-1372. [DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00741.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
It is generally accepted that proprioceptive ability deteriorates with age, although not all data support this view. We tested proprioception using three reliable tests at the ankle in 80 adults (19–80 yr). For all tests, the effects of muscle thixotropy were controlled. Under these conditions, we found no difference in proprioceptive acuity between young and old people.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon C. Gandevia
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Prince of Wales Hospital Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Janet L. Taylor
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Exercise, fatigue and proprioception: a retrospective. Exp Brain Res 2019; 237:2447-2459. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-019-05634-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
7
|
Kharaji G, Nikjooy A, Amiri A, Sanjari MA. Proprioception in stress urinary incontinence: A narrative review. Med J Islam Repub Iran 2019; 33:60. [PMID: 31456984 PMCID: PMC6708112 DOI: 10.34171/mjiri.33.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is more common than any other chronic disease. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI), among the various forms of urinary incontinence, is the most prevalent (50%) type of this condition. Female urinary continence is maintained through an integrated function of pelvic floor muscles (PFMs), fascial structures, nerves, supporting ligaments, and the vagina. In women with SUI, the postural activity of the PFMs is delayed and the balance ability is decreased. Many women, by learning the correct timing of a pelvic floor contraction during a cough, are able to eliminate consequent SUI. Timing is an important function of motor coordination and could be affected by proprioception. This study was conducted to review and outline the literature on proprioception as a contributory factor in SUI.
Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were systematically searched from 1998 to 2017 for articles on the topic of pathophysiology, motor control alterations, and proprioception role in women with SUI.
Results: A total of 6 articles addressed the importance of proprioception in motor control and its alterations in women with SUI. There were also publications on postural control, balance, and timing alterations in women with SUI in the literature. However, there was no research on measuring proprioception in the pelvic floor in this group.
Conclusion: Both the strength of the PFMs and the contraction timing and proprioception are important factors in maintaining continence. Thus, conducting research on PFMs proprioception in women with SUI, as a cause of incontinence, is encouraged.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ghazal Kharaji
- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Afsaneh Nikjooy
- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Amiri
- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Sanjari
- Department of Basic Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Henry M, Baudry S. Age-related changes in leg proprioception: implications for postural control. J Neurophysiol 2019; 122:525-538. [PMID: 31166819 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00067.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to being a prerequisite for many activities of daily living, the ability to maintain steady upright standing is a relevant model to study sensorimotor integrative function. Upright standing requires managing multimodal sensory inputs to produce finely tuned motor output that can be adjusted to accommodate changes in standing conditions and environment. The sensory information used for postural control mainly arises from the vestibular system of the inner ear, vision, and proprioception. Proprioception (sense of body position and movement) encompasses signals from mechanoreceptors (proprioceptors) located in muscles, tendons, and joint capsules. There is general agreement that proprioception signals from leg muscles provide the primary source of information for postural control. This is because of their exquisite sensitivity to detect body sway during unperturbed upright standing that mainly results from variations in leg muscle length induced by rotations around the ankle joint. However, aging is associated with alterations of muscle spindles and their neural pathways, which induce a decrease in the sensitivity, acuity, and integration of the proprioceptive signal. These alterations promote changes in postural control that reduce its efficiency and thereby may have deleterious consequences for the functional independence of an individual. This narrative review provides an overview of how aging alters the proprioceptive signal from the legs and presents compelling evidence that these changes modify the neural control of upright standing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Henry
- Laboratory of Applied Biology and Research Unit in Applied Neurophysiology, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stéphane Baudry
- Laboratory of Applied Biology and Research Unit in Applied Neurophysiology, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Craig CE, Doumas M. Slowed sensory reweighting and postural illusions in older adults: the moving platform illusion. J Neurophysiol 2019; 121:690-700. [PMID: 30540502 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00389.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated whether postural aftereffects witnessed during transitions from a moving to a stable support are accompanied by a delayed perception of platform stabilization in older adults, in two experiments. In experiment 1, postural sway and muscle cocontraction were assessed in 11 healthy young, 11 healthy older, and 11 fall-prone older adults during blindfolded stance on a fixed platform, followed by a sway-referenced platform and then by a fixed platform again. The sway-referenced platform was more compliant for young adults, to induce similar levels of postural sway in both age groups. Participants were asked to press a button whenever they perceived that the platform had stopped moving. Both older groups showed significantly larger and longer postural sway aftereffects during platform stabilization compared with young adults, which were pronounced in fall-prone older adults. In both older groups elevated muscle cocontraction aftereffect was also witnessed. Importantly, these aftereffects were accompanied by an illusory perception of prolonged platform movement. After this, experiment 2 examined whether this illusory perception was a robust age effect or an experimental confound due to greater surface compliance in young adults, which could create a larger perceptual discrepancy between moving and stable conditions. Despite exposure to the same surface compliance levels during sway-reference, the perceptual illusion was maintained in experiment 2 in a new group of 14 healthy older adults compared with 11 young adults. In both studies, older adults took five times longer than young adults to perceive platform stabilization. This supports that sensory reweighting is inefficient in older adults. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first paper to show that postural sway aftereffects witnessed in older adults after platform stabilization may be due to a perceptual illusion of platform movement. Surprisingly, in both experiments presented it took older adults five times longer than young adults to perceive platform stabilization. This supports a hypothesis of less efficient sensory reintegration in this age group, which may delay the formation of an accurate postural percept.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chesney E Craig
- School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast , Belfast , United Kingdom.,Research Centre for Musculoskeletal Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Crewe, United Kingdom
| | - Michail Doumas
- School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast , Belfast , United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Keyser J, Ramakers REFS, Medendorp WP, Selen LPJ. Task-dependent responses to muscle vibration during reaching. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 49:1477-1490. [PMID: 30474157 PMCID: PMC6618256 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Feedback corrections in reaching have been shown to be task-dependent for proprioceptive, visual and vestibular perturbations, in line with predictions from optimal feedback control theory. Mechanical perturbations have been used to elicit proprioceptive errors, but have the drawback to actively alter the limb's trajectory, making it nontrivial to dissociate the subject's compensatory response from the perturbation itself. In contrast, muscle vibration provides an alternative tool to perturb the muscle afferents without changing the hands trajectory, inducing only changes in the estimated, but not the actual, limb position and velocity. Here, we investigate whether upper-arm muscle vibration is sufficient to evoke task-dependent feedback corrections during goal-directed reaching to a narrow versus a wide target. Our main result is that for vibration of biceps and triceps, compensatory responses were down-regulated for the wide compared to the narrow target. The earliest detectable difference between these target-specific corrections is at about 100 ms, likely reflecting a task-dependent feedback control policy rather than a voluntary response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Keyser
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rob E F S Ramakers
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - W Pieter Medendorp
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Luc P J Selen
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Tsay A, Allen T, Proske U, Giummarra M. Sensing the body in chronic pain: A review of psychophysical studies implicating altered body representation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2015; 52:221-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Revised: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
|
12
|
Muscle thixotropy as a tool in the study of proprioception. Exp Brain Res 2014; 232:3397-412. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-014-4088-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
13
|
Bennell K, Hinman RS, Wrigley TV, Creaby MW, Hodges P. Exercise and osteoarthritis: cause and effects. Compr Physiol 2013; 1:1943-2008. [PMID: 23733694 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c100057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic joint condition predominantly affecting the knee, hip, and hand joints. Exercise plays a role in the development and treatment of OA but most of the literature in this area relates to knee OA. While studies indicate that exercise and physical activity have a generally positive effect on healthy cartilage metrics, depending upon the type of the activity and its intensity, the risk of OA development does appear to be moderately increased with sporting participation. In particular, joint injury associated with sports participation may be largely responsible for this increased risk of OA with sport. Various repetitive occupational tasks are also linked to greater likelihood of OA development. There are a number of physical impairments associated with OA including pain, muscle weakness and altered muscle function, reduced proprioception and postural control, joint instability, restricted range of motion, and lower aerobic fitness. These can result directly from the OA pathological process and/or indirectly as a result of factors such as pain, effusion, and reduced activity levels. These impairments and their underlying physiology are often targeted by exercise interventions and evidence generally shows that many of these can be modified by specific exercise. There is currently little clinical trial evidence to show that exercise can alter mechanical load and structural disease progression in those with established OA, although a number of impairments, that are amenable to change with exercise, appears to be associated with increased mechanical load and/or disease progression in longitudinal studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kim Bennell
- Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
King J, Harding E, Karduna A. The shoulder and elbow joints and right and left sides demonstrate similar joint position sense. J Mot Behav 2013; 45:479-86. [PMID: 24079516 DOI: 10.1080/00222895.2013.832136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Proper orientation of the shoulder and elbow is necessary for accurate and precise positioning of the hand. The authors' goal was to compare these joints with an active joint position sense task, while also taking into account the effects of joint flexion angle and arm dominance. Fifteen healthy subjects were asked to replicate presented joint angles with a single degree of freedom active positioning protocol. There were no significant differences in angular joint position sense errors with respect to joint (shoulder vs. elbow) and side (left vs. right). However, when considering linear positioning, errors were lower for the elbow, due to a shorter lever arm. Also, as flexion angles increased toward 90°, there was a consistent pattern of lower errors for both joints.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacqlyn King
- a Department of Human Physiology , University of Oregon , Eugene
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ghosh A, Haggard P. The spinal reflex cannot be perceptually separated from voluntary movements. J Physiol 2013; 592:141-52. [PMID: 24060990 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2013.260588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Both voluntary and involuntary movements activate sensors in the muscles, skin, tendon and joints. As limb movement can result from a mixture of spinal reflexes and voluntary motor commands, the cortical centres underlying conscious proprioception might either aggregate or separate the sensory inputs generated by voluntary movements from those generated by involuntary movements such as spinal reflexes. We addressed whether healthy volunteers could perceive the contribution of a spinal reflex during movements that combined both reflexive and voluntary contributions. Volunteers reported the reflexive contribution in leg movements that were partly driven by the knee-jerk reflex induced by a patellar tendon tap and partly by voluntary motor control. In one condition, participants were instructed to kick back in response to a tendon tap. The results were compared to reflexes in a resting baseline condition without voluntary movement. In a further condition, participants were instructed to kick forwards after a tap. Volunteers reported the perceived reflex contribution by repositioning the leg to the perceived maximum displacement to which the reflex moved the leg after each tendon tap. In the resting baseline condition, the reflex was accurately perceived. We found a near-unity slope of linear regressions of perceived on actual reflexive displacement. Both the slope value and the quality of regression fit in individual volunteers were significantly reduced when volunteers were instructed to generate voluntary backward kicks as soon as they detected the tap. In the kick forward condition, kinematic analysis showed continuity of reflex and voluntary movements, but the reflex contribution could be estimated from electromyography (EMG) recording on each trial. Again, participants' judgements of reflexes showed a poor relation to reflex EMG, in contrast to the baseline condition. In sum, we show that reflexes can be accurately perceived from afferent information. However, the presence of voluntary movement significantly impairs reflex perception. We suggest that perceptual separation between voluntary and reflex movement is poor at best. Our results imply that the brain has no clear marker for perceptually separating voluntary and involuntary movement. Attribution of body movement to voluntary or involuntary motor commands is surprisingly poor when both are present.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arko Ghosh
- A. Ghosh: Institute of Neuroinformatics, Winterthurerstr. 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Knoop J, Dekker J, van der Leeden M, van der Esch M, Thorstensson CA, Gerritsen M, Voorneman RE, Peter WF, de Rooij M, Romviel S, Lems WF, Roorda LD, Steultjens MPM. Knee joint stabilization therapy in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2013; 21:1025-34. [PMID: 23721797 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2013.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2012] [Revised: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 05/20/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether an exercise program, initially focusing on knee stabilization and subsequently on muscle strength and performance of daily activities is more effective than an exercise program focusing on muscle strength and performance of daily activities only, in reducing activity limitations in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and instability of the knee joint. DESIGN A single-blind, randomized, controlled trial involving 159 knee OA patients with self-reported and/or biomechanically assessed knee instability, randomly assigned to two treatment groups. Both groups received a supervised exercise program for 12 weeks, consisting of muscle strengthening exercises and training of daily activities, but only in the experimental group specific knee joint stabilization training was provided. Outcome measures included activity limitations (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index - WOMAC physical function, primary outcome), pain, global perceived effect and knee stability. RESULTS Both treatment groups demonstrated large (∼20-40%) and clinically relevant reductions in activity limitations, pain and knee instability, which were sustained 6 months post-treatment. No differences in effectiveness between experimental and control treatment were found on WOMAC physical function (B (95% confidence interval - CI) = -0.01 (-2.58 to 2.57)) or secondary outcome measures, except for a higher global perceived effect in the experimental group (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Both exercise programs were highly effective in reducing activity limitations and pain and restoring knee stability in knee OA patients with instability of the knee. In knee OA patients suffering from knee instability, specific knee joint stabilization training, in addition to muscle strengthening and functional exercises, does not seem to have any additional value. Dutch Trial Register (NTR) registration number: NTR1475.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Knoop
- Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center, Reade, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Proske U, Gandevia SC. The proprioceptive senses: their roles in signaling body shape, body position and movement, and muscle force. Physiol Rev 2013; 92:1651-97. [PMID: 23073629 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00048.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 975] [Impact Index Per Article: 88.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This is a review of the proprioceptive senses generated as a result of our own actions. They include the senses of position and movement of our limbs and trunk, the sense of effort, the sense of force, and the sense of heaviness. Receptors involved in proprioception are located in skin, muscles, and joints. Information about limb position and movement is not generated by individual receptors, but by populations of afferents. Afferent signals generated during a movement are processed to code for endpoint position of a limb. The afferent input is referred to a central body map to determine the location of the limbs in space. Experimental phantom limbs, produced by blocking peripheral nerves, have shown that motor areas in the brain are able to generate conscious sensations of limb displacement and movement in the absence of any sensory input. In the normal limb tendon organs and possibly also muscle spindles contribute to the senses of force and heaviness. Exercise can disturb proprioception, and this has implications for musculoskeletal injuries. Proprioceptive senses, particularly of limb position and movement, deteriorate with age and are associated with an increased risk of falls in the elderly. The more recent information available on proprioception has given a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these senses as well as providing new insight into a range of clinical conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Proske
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Baudry S, Lecoeuvre G, Duchateau J. Age-related changes in the behavior of the muscle-tendon unit of the gastrocnemius medialis during upright stance. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2012; 112:296-304. [PMID: 22033533 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00913.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical properties of the muscle-tendon unit change with aging, but it is not known how these modifications influence the control of lower leg muscles during upright stance. In this study, young and elderly adults stood upright on a force platform with and without vision while muscle architecture and myotendinous junction movements (expressed relative to the change in the moment on the x-axis of the force platform) were recorded by ultrasonography and muscle activity by electromyography. The results show that the maximal amplitude of the sway in the antero-posterior direction was greater in elderly adults (age effect, P < 0.05) and was accompanied by an increase in lower leg muscle activity compared with young adults. Moreover, the data highlight that fascicles shorten during forward sway and lengthen during backward sways but more so for young (−4 ± 3 and −4 ± 3 mm/Nm, respectively) than elderly adults (−0.7 ± 3 and 0.8 ± 3 mm/Nm, respectively; age × sway, P < 0.001). Concurrently, the pennation angle increased and decreased during forward and backward sways, respectively, with greater changes in young than elderly adults (age × sway, P < 0.001). In contrast, no significant differences were observed between age groups for tendon lengthening and shortening during sways. The results indicate that, compared with young, elderly adults increase the stiffness of the muscular portion of the muscle-tendon unit during upright stance that may compensate for the age-related decrease in tendon stiffness. These observations suggest a shift in the control strategy used to maintain balance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Baudry
- Laboratory of Applied Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Geoffrey Lecoeuvre
- Laboratory of Applied Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jacques Duchateau
- Laboratory of Applied Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
TALIS VERAL, LEVIK YURYS. DOES THE STABILITY OF ELBOW SUPPORT INFLUENCE THE ELBOW JOINT MATCHING ACCURACY? J Integr Neurosci 2011; 10:177-88. [DOI: 10.1142/s0219635211002683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2010] [Accepted: 12/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
|
20
|
Djupsjöbacka M, Domkin D. Correlation analysis of proprioceptive acuity in ipsilateral position-matching and velocity-discrimination. Somatosens Mot Res 2011; 22:85-93. [PMID: 16191761 DOI: 10.1080/08990220500083711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In order to plan and control movements the central nervous system (CNS) needs to continuously keep track of the state of the musculoskeletal system. Therefore the CNS constantly uses sensory input from mechanoreceptors in muscles, joints and skin to update information about body configuration on different levels of the CNS. On the conscious level, such representations constitute proprioception. Different tests for assessment of proprioceptive acuity have been described. However, it is unclear if the proprioceptive acuity measurements in these tests correlate within subjects. By using both uni- and multivariate analysis we compared proprioceptive acuity in different variants of ipsilateral active and passive limb position-matching and ipsilateral passive limb movement velocity-discrimination in a group of healthy subjects. The analysis of the position-matching data revealed a higher acuity of matching for active movements in comparison to passive ones. The acuity of matching was negatively correlated to movement extent. There was a lack of correlation between proprioceptive acuity measurements in position-matching and velocity-discrimination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mats Djupsjöbacka
- Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Gävle, Umeå, Sweden.
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Age-related relative increases in electromyography activity and torque according to the maximal capacity during upright standing. Eur J Appl Physiol 2010; 109:669-80. [DOI: 10.1007/s00421-010-1397-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/08/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
22
|
Loram ID, Lakie M, Di Giulio I, Maganaris CN. The consequences of short-range stiffness and fluctuating muscle activity for proprioception of postural joint rotations: the relevance to human standing. J Neurophysiol 2009; 102:460-74. [PMID: 19420127 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00007.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Proprioception comes from muscles and tendons. Tendon compliance, muscle stiffness, and fluctuating activity complicate transduction of joint rotation to a proprioceptive signal. These problems are acute in postural regulation because of tiny joint rotations and substantial short-range muscle stiffness. When studying locomotion or perturbed balance these problems are less applicable. We recently measured short-range stiffness in standing and considered the implications for load stability. Here, using an appropriately simplified model we analyze the conversion of joint rotation to spindle input and tendon tension while considering the effect of short-range stiffness, tendon compliance, fluctuating muscle activity, and fusimotor activity. Basic principles determine that when muscle stiffness and tendon compliance are high, fluctuating muscle activity is the greatest factor confounding registration of postural movements, such as ankle rotations during standing. Passive and isoactive muscle, uncomplicated by active length fluctuations, enable much better registration of joint rotation and require fewer spindles. Short-range muscle stiffness is a degrading factor for spindle input and enhancing factor for Golgi input. Constant fusimotor activity does not enhance spindle registration of postural joint rotations in actively modulated muscle: spindle input remains more strongly associated with muscle activity than joint rotation. A hypothesized rigid alpha-gamma linkage could remove this association with activity but would require large numbers of spindles in active postural muscles. Using microneurography, the existence of a rigid alpha-gamma linkage could be identified from the correlation between spindle output and muscle activity. Basic principles predict a proprioceptive "dead zone" in the active agonist muscle that is related to the short-range muscle stiffness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ian D Loram
- Institute for Biomedical Research into Human Movement and Health, Manchester Metropolitan University, John Dalton Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Butler AA, Lord SR, Rogers MW, Fitzpatrick RC. Muscle weakness impairs the proprioceptive control of human standing. Brain Res 2008; 1242:244-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2008.03.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2008] [Revised: 03/20/2008] [Accepted: 03/29/2008] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|
24
|
Smith MD, Coppieters MW, Hodges PW. Is balance different in women with and without stress urinary incontinence? Neurourol Urodyn 2008; 27:71-8. [PMID: 17623853 DOI: 10.1002/nau.20476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This study investigated whether there are differences in center of pressure (COP) displacement, trunk motion, and trunk muscle activity in women with and without stress urinary incontinence (SUI) during static balance tasks when the bladder is empty and moderately full. METHODS Subjects stood on a force plate during six static balance conditions: eyes open, eyes closed, standing on foam with eyes open, standing on foam with eyes closed, tandem stance, and standing on a short base. Electromyographic activity (EMG) of the pelvic floor (PF), abdominal, and erector spinae muscles were recorded using surface electrodes. Motion of the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hips was measured with four inclinometers. Trials were performed with the bladder empty, and when the subject reported a sensation of moderate bladder fullness after drinking 250-1,000 ml of water. RESULTS Women with SUI had greater COP displacement (range and root mean square), and increased trunk muscle EMG during static balance tests compared to continent women. When tasks were performed with the bladder moderately full, COP displacement and abdominal muscle EMG were increased in both groups. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that women with SUI have decreased balance ability compared to continent women. Increased activity of the PF and trunk muscles in women with SUI may impair balance as a result of a reduced contribution of trunk movement to postural correction or compromised proprioceptive acuity. As compromised balance has been linked to falls risk, further research into balance deficits and falls prevalence in this population is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle D Smith
- Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
In our movements and posture, we always act against a physical load. A key property of any load is its elastic stiffness (K), which describes how the force required to hold it must change with position. Here we examine how load stiffness affects the ability to maintain a stable posture at the wrist. Loads having positive (like a spring) and negative stiffness (like an inverted pendulum) were created by varying the position of weights on multiarm rigid pendulum. Subjects (n = 9) held 15 loads (K = +/- 0.04, +/- 0.01 and 0 N m deg(-1) at mean torques of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 N m) still for 60 s. Residual wrist movement (sway) increased with mean torque and increased as stiffness became more negative. Large effects of load stiffness were seen at low frequencies (< 1.5 Hz) but not at higher frequencies that reflect load resonance and reflex activity. Subjects accurately perceived their postural sway while holding the loads but measured psychophysical thresholds showed that load stiffness was not perceived. We conclude that load stiffness, independent of force levels, affects the ability to control a load and that the postural control process relies on perception and volitional tracking rather than more automatic reflex pathways. Despite an awareness of their postural errors, we see no evidence for adaptation of postural control processes to compensate for changes in load properties. This is unlike the adaptation of feedforward control processes that produce targeted volitional movements when load properties are altered. We propose that postural control and movement control are fundamentally different neural processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John Z Z Chew
- Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute and University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031 Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Sturnieks DL, Wright JR, Fitzpatrick RC. Detection of simultaneous movement at two human arm joints. J Physiol 2007; 585:833-42. [PMID: 17947317 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2007.139089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
To detect joint movement, the brain relies on sensory signals from muscle spindles that sense the lengthening and shortening of the muscles. For single-joint muscles, the unique relationship between joint angle and muscle length makes this relatively straightforward. However, many muscles cross more than one joint, making their spindle signals potentially ambiguous, particularly when these joints move in opposite directions. We show here that simultaneous movement at adjacent joints sharing biarticular muscles affects the threshold for detecting movements at either joint whereas it has no effect for non-adjacent joints. The angular displacements required for 70% correct detection were determined in 12 subjects for movements imposed on the shoulder, elbow and wrist at angular velocities of 0.25-2 deg s(-1). When moved in isolation, detection thresholds at each joint were similar to those reported previously. When movements were imposed on the shoulder and wrist simultaneously, there were no changes in the thresholds for detecting movement at either joint. In contrast, when movements in opposite directions at velocities greater than 0.5 deg s(-1) were imposed on the elbow and wrist simultaneously, thresholds increased. At 2 deg s(-1), the displacement threshold was approximately doubled. Thresholds decreased when these adjacent joints moved in the same direction. When these joints moved in opposite directions, subjects more frequently perceived incorrect movements in the opposite direction to the actual. We conclude that the brain uses potentially ambiguous signals from biarticular muscles for kinaesthesia and that this limits acuity for detecting joint movement when adjacent joints are moved simultaneously.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daina L Sturnieks
- Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute, Easy Street, and University of New South Wales, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Sekihara C, Izumizaki M, Yasuda T, Nakajima T, Atsumi T, Homma I. Effect of cooling on thixotropic position-sense error in human biceps muscle. Muscle Nerve 2007; 35:781-7. [PMID: 17385689 DOI: 10.1002/mus.20779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Muscle temperature affects muscle thixotropy. However, it is unclear whether changes in muscle temperature affect thixotropic position-sense errors. We studied the effect of cooling on thixotropic position-sense errors induced by short-length muscle contraction (hold-short conditioning) in the biceps of 12 healthy men. After hold-short conditioning of the right biceps muscle in a cooled (5.0 degrees C) or control (36.5 degrees C) environment, subjects perceived greater extension of the conditioned forearm at 5.0 degrees C. The angle differences between the two forearms following hold-short conditioning of the right biceps muscle in normal or cooled conditions were significantly different (-3.335 +/- 1.680 degrees at 36.5 degrees C vs. -5.317 +/- 1.096 degrees at 5.0 degrees C; P=0.043). Induction of a tonic vibration reflex in the biceps muscle elicited involuntary forearm elevation, and the angular velocities of the elevation differed significantly between arms conditioned in normal and cooled environments (1.583 +/- 0.326 degrees /s at 36.5 degrees C vs. 3.100 +/- 0.555 degrees /s at 5.0 degrees C, P=0.0039). Thus, a cooled environment impairs a muscle's ability to provide positional information, potentially leading to poor muscle performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chikara Sekihara
- Department of Physiology, Showa University School of Medicine, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Ridderikhoff A, Peper CLE, Beek PJ. Error correction in bimanual coordination benefits from bilateral muscle activity: evidence from kinesthetic tracking. Exp Brain Res 2007; 181:31-48. [PMID: 17342477 PMCID: PMC1914235 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-007-0902-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2006] [Accepted: 02/06/2007] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Although previous studies indicated that the stability properties of interlimb coordination largely result from the integrated timing of efferent signals to both limbs, they also depend on afference-based interactions. In the present study, we examined contributions of afference-based error corrections to rhythmic bimanual coordination using a kinesthetic tracking task. Furthermore, since we found in previous research that subjects activated their muscles in the tracked (motor-driven) arm, we examined the functional significance of this activation to gain more insight into the processes underlying this phenomenon. To these aims, twelve subjects coordinated active movements of the right hand with motor-driven oscillatory movements of the left hand in two coordinative patterns: in-phase (relative phase 0 degrees) and antiphase (relative phase 180 degrees). They were either instructed to activate the muscles in the motor-driven arm as if moving along with the motor (active condition), or to keep these muscles as relaxed as possible (relaxed condition). We found that error corrections were more effective in in-phase than in antiphase coordination, resulting in more adequate adjustments of cycle durations to compensate for timing errors detected at the start of each cycle. In addition, error corrections were generally more pronounced in the active than in the relaxed condition. This activity-related difference was attributed to the associated bilateral neural control signals (as estimated using electromyography), which provided an additional reference (in terms of expected sensory consequences) for afference-based error corrections. An intimate relation was revealed between the (integrated) motor commands to both limbs and the processing of afferent feedback.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arne Ridderikhoff
- Institute for Fundamental and Clinical Human Movement Sciences (IFKB), Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorststraat 9, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Fallon JB, Macefield VG. Vibration sensitivity of human muscle spindles and golgi tendon organs. Muscle Nerve 2007; 36:21-9. [PMID: 17471568 DOI: 10.1002/mus.20796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The responses of the various muscle receptors to vibration are more complicated than a naïve categorization into stretch (muscle spindle primary ending), length (muscle spindle secondary endings), and tension (Golgi tendon organs) receptors. To emphasize the similarity of responses to small length changes, we recorded from 58 individual muscle afferents subserving receptors in the ankle or toe dorsiflexors of awake human subjects (32 primary endings, 20 secondary endings, and six Golgi tendon organs). Transverse sinusoidal vibration was applied to the distal tendon of the receptor-bearing muscle, while subjects either remained completely relaxed or maintained a weak isometric contraction of the appropriate muscle. In relaxed muscle, few units responded in a 1:1 manner to vibration, and there was no evidence of a preferred frequency of activation. In active muscle the response profiles of all three receptor types overlapped, with no significant difference in threshold between receptor types. These results emphasize that when intramuscular tension increases during a voluntary contraction, Golgi tendon organs and muscle spindle secondary endings, not just muscle spindle primary endings, can effectively encode small imposed length changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James B Fallon
- Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Abstract
The kinesthetic sense, the sense of position and movement of our limbs, has been the subject of speculation for more than 400 years. The present-day view is that it is signaled principally by muscle spindles, with a subsidiary role played by skin and joint receptors. The problem with muscle spindles as position sensors is that they are able to generate impulses in response to muscle length changes as well as from fusimotor activity. The central nervous system must be able to distinguish between activity from the two sources. Recent observations on position sense after fatigue and during load-bearing suggest that an additional source of kinesthetic information comes from a centrally generated sensation, the sense of effort. This has consequences for kinesthesia in the presence of the force of gravity. A contribution from central feedback mechanisms to the sense of effort is relevant to certain clinical conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Proske
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Allen TJ, Proske U. Effect of muscle fatigue on the sense of limb position and movement. Exp Brain Res 2005; 170:30-8. [PMID: 16328298 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-005-0174-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2005] [Accepted: 08/01/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
We have recently shown that in an unsupported forearm-matching task blindfolded human subjects are able to achieve an accuracy of 2-3 degrees . If one arm was exercised to produce significant fatigue and the matching task was repeated, it led subjects to make position-matching errors. Here that result is confirmed using fatigue from a simple weight-lifting exercise. A 30% drop in maximum voluntary force after the exercise was accompanied by a significant matching error of 1.7 degrees in the direction of extension when the reference arm had been fatigued, and 1.9 degrees in the direction of flexion when the indicator arm had been fatigued. We also tested the effect of fatigue on a simple movement tracking task where the reference forearm was moved into extension at a range of speeds from 10 to 50 degrees s(-1). Fatigue was found not to significantly reduce the movement-tracking accuracy. In a second experiment, movement tracking was measured while one arm was vibrated. When it was the reference arm, the subject perceived the movement to be significantly faster (3.7 degrees s(-1)) than it actually was. When it was the indicator, it was perceived to be slower (4.6 degrees s(-1)). The data supports the view that muscle spindles are responsible for the sense of movement, and that this sense is not prone to the disturbance from fatigue. By contrast, the sense of position can be disturbed by muscle fatigue. It is postulated, that the sense of effort experienced by holding the arm against the force of gravity is able to provide information about the position in space of the limb and that the increased effort from fatigue produces positional errors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T J Allen
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, 13F, Melbourne, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Radovanovic S, Day SJ, Johansson H. The impact of whole-hand vibration exposure on the sense of angular position about the wrist joint. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2005; 79:153-60. [PMID: 16205942 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-005-0039-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2004] [Accepted: 09/07/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this research is to determine the impact of whole-hand vibration on the capacity of subjects to identify previously presented positions of the hand in both wrist flexion and extension. METHODS In each movement direction, targets of 15 or 30 degrees were presented with an imposed passive movement from the start position. During the second imposed movement, subjects were required to identify when the target position had been reached. For the vibration condition, 15 s of whole-hand vibration exposure was repeated immediately prior to each target position trial. Proprioceptive capacity was assessed by comparing the identified angular position with the reference position-angular distance expressed in terms of absolute error (AE), constant error (CE), and variable error (VE). RESULTS For three of the four target positions (15 and 30 degrees flexion and 15 degrees extension), the absolute, constant, and VEs of target identification were insensitive to vibration, whereas for the 30 degrees extension target, both the absolute and CE were significantly different before and after the vibration application, showing the subjects overshooting previously presented target position. All three error measures were larger for the long targets than the short targets. CONCLUSIONS Short-duration exposure to whole-hand vibration is insufficient to compromise post-vibration position sense in the wrist joint, except near the end range of joint movement in wrist extension. Complement contribution of different proprioceptive receptors (muscle, joint, and skin receptors) seems to be crucial for accuracy to reproduce passive movements, since the capacity of any individual class of receptor to deliver information about movement and position of the limbs is limited.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sasa Radovanovic
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Gävle, Petrus Laestadius väg, Box 7629, 907 13, Umeå, Sweden.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Axelson HW, Hagbarth KE. Human motor compensations for thixotropy-dependent changes in resting wrist joint position after large joint movements. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 179:389-98. [PMID: 14656377 DOI: 10.1046/j.0001-6772.2003.01217.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
AIM Resting tension of relaxed skeletal muscle fibres held at a given length varies with the immediate previous history of length changes and contractions. The primary aim of this study was to explore the motor control consequences of this history-dependency in healthy subjects. METHODS Angular position and passive torque were recorded from the intact wrist joint. Integrated surface electromyography (IEMG) was recorded from wrist extensor and flexor muscles. RESULTS In relaxed subjects, wrist joint position was displaced towards dorsiflexion after a single high-amplitude dorsiflexion movement combined with a strong flexor/extensor co-contraction (dorsiflexion conditioning), whereas after volarflexion conditioning there was a shift towards volarflexion. These after-effects could be abruptly cancelled by short periods ( approximately 5 s) of rapid flapping hand movements or forceful isometric co-contractions, findings indicative of muscle thixotropy. The IEMG-evaluated motor after-effects were as follows. A slowly subsiding wrist flexor contraction was needed to restore and maintain the original resting wrist position after dorsiflexion conditioning whereas a slowly subsiding extensor contraction was needed for the same goal after volarflexion conditioning. Furthermore, ongoing wrist extensor IEMG activity required to actively hold the wrist in a moderate dorsiflexed position or to resist a constant volar torque at resting position was temporarily reduced after dorsiflexion conditioning and enhanced (not significantly) after volarflexion conditioning. CONCLUSION The results provide evidence that during voluntary maintenance of a desired wrist joint position the motor commands to the position-holding muscles are unconsciously adjusted to compensate for thixotropy-dependent variations in the resting tension of the muscles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H W Axelson
- Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Yoshitake Y, Shinohara M, Kouzaki M, Fukunaga T. Fluctuations in plantar flexion force are reduced after prolonged tendon vibration. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2004; 97:2090-7. [PMID: 15286048 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00560.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of prolonged vibration on the force fluctuations during a force-matching task performed at low-force levels. Fourteen young healthy men performed a submaximal force-matching task of isometric plantar flexion before and after Achilles tendon vibration (n = 8, vibration subjects) or lying without vibration (n = 6, control subjects) for 30 min. The target forces were 2.5-10% of the previbration maximal voluntary contraction force. The standard deviation of force decreased by a mean of 29 +/- 20% across target forces after vibration, whereas it did not decrease significantly in control subjects (-5 +/- 12%). This change was significantly greater compared with control subjects (P < 0.01 for both). Power spectral density of the force was predominantly composed of signals of low-frequency bandwidth (<or =5 Hz) with few higher frequency components. In vibration subjects, there was a significant decrease in power in the frequency range < or =2 Hz after vibration. The decrease in power at this frequency range was linearly related to the decrease in the force fluctuations (r = 0.96, P < 0.001). The results indicate that prolonged Achilles tendon vibration reduces the fluctuations in plantar flexion force in the frequency range < or =2 Hz during low-level contractions. It suggests that Ia afferent inputs contribute to the low-frequency force fluctuations in plantar flexion.
Collapse
|
35
|
Ishihara Y, Izumizaki M, Atsumi T, Homma I. Aftereffects of mechanical vibration and muscle contraction on limb position-sense. Muscle Nerve 2004; 30:486-92. [PMID: 15372539 DOI: 10.1002/mus.20133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Mechanical vibration (MV) of a muscle causes position-sense errors during and after application. Isometric muscle contraction at a shorter (hold-short conditioning) or longer (hold-long conditioning) length causes limb position-sense errors after the muscle returns to its intermediate length by means of intrafusal muscle thixotropy. However, it is unclear whether MV enhances these thixotropic position-sense errors. We studied the after-effects of MV on position-sense errors induced by hold-short and hold-long conditioning in the biceps of 12 healthy men. After hold-short conditioning, subjects perceived that the conditioned forearm was placed in a more extended position than occurred in reality; after hold-long conditioning, a more flexed position was perceived. Use of MV with hold-short or hold-long conditioning enhanced both errors, which were most obvious at 100 HZ. These results suggest that MV and muscle conditioning work together efficiently to develop intrafusal muscle thixotropy. MV combined with hold-long conditioning may alleviate thixotropically increased muscle stiffness, such as in spastic hypertonia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Ishihara
- Department of Physiology, Showa University School of Medicine, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Byblow WD, Lewis GN, Stinear JW. Effector-specific visual information influences kinesthesis and reaction time performance in Parkinson's disease. J Mot Behav 2003; 35:99-107. [PMID: 12711581 DOI: 10.1080/00222890309602125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Twelve patients diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and 11 age-matched control participants performed a continuous bimanual wrist flexion-extension tracking task while vision of their hands was manipulated. Participants were required to match the frequency and amplitude of movements of 1 limb that was driven at 0.6 Hz by a torque motor by actively moving the contralateral limb. In half the trials, the more affected limb (subdominant for controls) was driven, and in the other half, the less affected limb (dominant for controls) was driven. Vision of both hands, vision of the driven hand only, vision of the active hand only, or no vision of the hands was allowed. Simple and probe reaction times were assessed. Parkinson's disease patients performed the tracking task to a reasonable level of temporal and spatial accuracy as compared with control participants in terms of hand phasing and root mean square error. Patients demonstrated a marked posture deviation (toward flexion), which was exaggerated when the less affected limb was active. Amplitude deviations were smaller in both groups when the less affected (dominant) limb was active and when participants had vision of the driven hand. Overall, patients delivered slower responses in both simple and probe conditions. Reaction times of Parkinson's disease patients who were allowed vision of only the active hand were longer than were those of patients in all other visual conditions, whereas visual conditions did not affect the reaction times of control participants. The authors conclude that central demands increase when movement regulation must be based solely on kinesthetic information and when vision directs attention away from the most relevant source of kinesthetic information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Winston D Byblow
- Human Motor Control Laboratory, Department of Sport & Exercise Science, University of Auckland-Tamaki Campus, PB 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Ribot-Ciscar E, Bergenheim M, Albert F, Roll JP. Proprioceptive population coding of limb position in humans. Exp Brain Res 2003; 149:512-9. [PMID: 12677332 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-003-1384-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2002] [Accepted: 12/20/2002] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The present study investigates the coding of positions reached in a two-dimensional space by populations of muscle spindle afferents. The unitary activity of 35 primary muscle spindle afferents originating from the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus, and peroneus lateralis muscles were recorded from the common peroneal nerve by the microneurographic technique. The steady mean frequency of discharge was analyzed during 16 passively maintained positions of the tip of the foot. These positions were equally distant from and circularly arranged around the "neutral" position of the ankle. The results showed that a same position of the foot was differently coded depending on whether it was maintained for several seconds or whether it was attained after a movement. Muscle spindle activity was increased or decreased, respectively, when the previous movement lengthened or shortened the parent muscle; the magnitude of change in activity depended on the amount of lengthening or shortening in relation to movement direction. Each muscle surrounding the ankle joint was shown to encode the different spatial positions following a directional tuning curve. Data were analyzed by using the "neuronal population vector model". This model consists of calculating population vectors representing the mean contribution of each muscle population of afferents to the coding of a particular position, and by finally calculating a sum vector. The direction of the sum vector was shown to accurately describe the direction of a given maintained position compared to the initial position. We conclude that muscle spindle position coding is based on afferent information coming from the whole set of muscles crossing a given joint. A given spatial position is associated with a stable muscle afferent inflow where each muscle makes an oriented and weighted contribution to its coding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edith Ribot-Ciscar
- Laboratoire de Neurobiologie Humaine, UMR CNRS 6149 Neurobiologie Intégrative et Adaptative, Université de Provence, 52 Faculté des Sciences de Saint-Jérôme, Case 362, 13397 Marseille Cedex 20, France.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Wise AK, Fallon JB. The effect of muscle contraction on kinaesthesia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2003; 508:87-94. [PMID: 12171155 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4615-0713-0_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Kinaesthesia is our conscious awareness of body position and movement. Experiments are described examining kinaesthetic acuity in human subjects. The results showed a reduced ability to detect limb movement and match limb position during co-contraction of elbow extensors and flexors compared to when these muscles were relaxed. We also report results from animal experiments showing a reduction in muscle spindle stretch sensitivity during fusimotor and skeletomotor activation, a factor that might contribute to the decreased kinaesthetic acuity observed during muscle contraction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew K Wise
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
| | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Gandevia SC, Refshauge KM, Collins DF. Proprioception: peripheral inputs and perceptual interactions. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2003; 508:61-8. [PMID: 12171152 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4615-0713-0_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Much emphasis has been placed on the specific role of specific inputs from muscle, joint and cutaneous afferents in the detection of movement. However, particularly for the hand, multiple inputs from the moving part are likely to be important. This chapter reviews some recent studies which examine the co-operative interaction between the various proprioceptive channels. Proprioceptive control of movement must also take account of the length of the various limb segments, a variable which is independent of muscle lengths and joint angles. Evidence is presented that body image can be affected by the tonic discharge of non-muscle receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon C Gandevia
- Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute, NSW, Sydney, Australia.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Lewis GN, Byblow WD. Modulations in corticomotor excitability during passive upper-limb movement: is there a cortical influence? Brain Res 2002; 943:263-75. [PMID: 12101049 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-8993(02)02699-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Modulations in the excitability of corticomotor pathways to forearm musculature have previously been demonstrated during passive wrist movement [Brain Res. 900 (2001) 282]. Investigations were conducted to determine the level of the neuroaxis at which these modulations arise, and to establish the influence of proprioceptive task constraints on pathway excitability. Forearm motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in response to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) were examined during passive wrist movement while subjects maintained a low-level muscle activation, thus stabilising the excitability of the motoneuron pool. Modulations in response amplitude during movement were evident in both forearm flexor and extensor muscles. The pattern of modulation generally mirrored that seen in quiescent musculature during movement, with responses potentiated during the phases where the muscle was in a shortened position. Variations in MEP amplitude were not detected while the wrist was constrained statically at various joint angles. This suggests a dynamic influence of movement, most likely mediated by spindle receptors, arising at a supraspinal level. We also investigated the influence of a kinesthetic tracking task on corticomotor excitability during passive movement of the wrist joint. MEPs were recorded from the target driven limb while the contralateral limb was stationary, while the contralateral limb actively tracked the movements of the target limb, and while the contralateral limb moved actively in time with a metronome. The results revealed no differences in MEP characteristics in the driven limb between the three conditions. Placing the movement elicited afferent information in an active movement context does not appear to enhance the modulations in cortical excitability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gwyn N Lewis
- Human Motor Control Laboratory, Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Stillman BC, McMeeken JM. The role of weightbearing in the clinical assessment of knee joint position sense. THE AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY 2002; 47:247-53. [PMID: 11722293 DOI: 10.1016/s0004-9514(14)60272-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Knee joint position sense was assessed by active tests with active limb matching responses in supine lying and in unilateral weightbearing (WB) stance using (re)positioning of the whole limb whilst focusing on the knee, and in supine lying using (re)positioning confined to the knee. Following five tests at approximately 45 degrees knee flexion in all three test conditions, position sense was found to be significantly more accurate and reliable following the WB procedure. Possible explanations are, first, that during WB the subjects were more able to assist identification of the test positions using cues obtained during movement of the knee to and from these positions. Second, a larger volume of proprioceptive afferent information may have been derived from sources outside the examined knee, and even outside the examined limb. Whilst WB joint position sense assessments are more functional, the obtained results may not characterise the capacity of the proprioceptors in and around the examined (knee) joint. Since the WB and NWB results were not correlated, one procedure cannot be used to predict results from the others. Also, predominantly unilateral WB stance is often impractical for subjects with limited balance or WB pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B C Stillman
- School of Physiotherapy,The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052.
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Pincivero DM, Bachmeier B, Coelho AJ. The effects of joint angle and reliability on knee proprioception. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2001; 33:1708-12. [PMID: 11581556 DOI: 10.1097/00005768-200110000-00015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and effects of knee angle on the detection and subsequent response to passive knee movement. METHODS Twenty college-aged male and 20 female volunteers were evaluated for proprioception by a newly developed perturbation test. Subjects were in a prone position on an isokinetic chair with their right lower leg attached to a freely moving resistance adapter. The knee was placed in a starting position of 15, 30, or 60 degrees of flexion. While relaxed, the knee was dropped into extension, and the subjects were instructed to "catch their leg" when movement was perceived. Five trials were completed at each angle, in a random order. An electrogoniometer was secured to the lateral portion of the knee in order to measure angular displacement after perturbation in two specific phases: detection (displacement from leg release to movement cessation) and response (displacement from movement cessation to peak knee flexion). A three-factor ANOVA (two repeated factors (knee angle and proprioception phase) and one between factor (gender)) was performed on the average and standard deviation of the five trials for significant main effects and interactions. RESULTS The results demonstrated a significant phase by angle interaction, and no gender effect. It was shown that at a more extended knee joint position (15 degrees), significantly less knee movement occurred before perception, followed by a greater response, than in a more flexed position (30 and 60 degrees). CONCLUSION The major findings of this study suggest that the detection of passive knee movement, and the subsequent voluntary response, may be dependent on joint angle. Considerations of the present method for proprioception assessment are warranted to enhance test-retest reliability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D M Pincivero
- Department of Physical Therapy, Human Performance and Fatigue Laboratory, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Weiler HT, Awiszus F. Influence of hysteresis on joint position sense in the human knee joint. Exp Brain Res 2000; 135:215-21. [PMID: 11131506 DOI: 10.1007/s002210000512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
During muscle lengthening in a movement cycle the firing rate of muscle spindles is higher than during shortening. This phenomenon, known as hysteresis, has implications for movement control. Therefore, it should have an impact on joint position sense (JPS), the subject's awareness of the static position of a joint. JPS has been tested on the human knee joint by means of an angle reproduction test. This task included the following sequences. The leg was moved passively, by means of a motor drive, from two different start positions (15 degrees and 75 degrees) to a certain target angle and, after a time of 8 s, it was returned to the start position; subjects had to reproduce the former target angle. Several target angles, mild flexion (30 degrees), intermediate flexion (45 degrees), and strong flexion (60 degrees), were used. Depending on the start position, the movements matching these targets were flexions or extensions. At least for the intermediate position different threshold values should be expected for flexions and extensions, if hysteresis has an impact. Moreover, the JPS measure should show a dependence on movement velocity and independence on distance. Of the variables tested, only movement direction but not movement velocity or distance had a statistically significant impact on the dependent constant angle error (difference between reproduction and target angle). The target angle of 30 degrees was exactly reproduced (-0.14 degrees), independently of the start position. The 45 degrees target angle was significantly underestimated (-4.39 degrees) when matching that position by flexions (starting at 15 degrees) compared to an overestimation (2.27 degrees) when matching that position by extensions (starting at 75 degrees). The target angle of 60 degrees has been constantly underestimated (-3.80 degrees), independently of the start position. Therefore, hysteresis, the dependency of the movement's direction, neglected in the past, should be considered in future tests of JPS or studies considering the role of movement parameters for motor control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H T Weiler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany.
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Kakuda N. Response of human muscle spindle afferents to sinusoidal stretching with a wide range of amplitudes. J Physiol 2000; 527 Pt 2:397-404. [PMID: 10970440 PMCID: PMC2270080 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7793.2000.00397.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Impulses of human single muscle spindle afferents were recorded from the m. extensor carpi radialis, while 1 Hz sinusoidal movements for a wide range of amplitudes (0.05-10 deg, half of the peak-to-peak amplitude) were imposed at the wrist joint. The response was considered as linear when the discharge was approximately sinusoidally modulated. The linearity was further checked by a linear increase in the response with the amplitude and a constancy of the phase and mean level. Fifteen of 25 primary afferents were active at rest with a mean rate of 10.6 impulses s-1 (median). The linear response to sinusoidal stretching was limited to amplitudes lower than about 1.0 deg. The sensitivity was 5.6 impulses s-1 deg-1 (median) in the linear range and decreased at larger amplitudes. The other 10 primary afferents were silent at rest and lacked a linear response at low amplitudes. Nine secondary afferents were active at rest with a mean rate of 9.5 impulses s-1. The linear range extended up to about 4.0 deg with a sensitivity of 1.4 impulses s-1 deg-1. In the linear range, the phase advance of the response to sinusoidal stretching was about 50 deg and was similar between the two types of spindle afferents. In primary afferents, the phase advance increased to nearly 90 deg outside the linear range. The findings suggest that high sensitivity to small stretches is important in determining primary afferent firing during natural movements in intact humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Kakuda
- Department of Neurology, National Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Birmingham TB, Inglis JT, Kramer JF, Vandervoort AA. Effect of a neoprene sleeve on knee joint kinesthesis: influence of different testing procedures. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2000; 32:304-8. [PMID: 10694111 DOI: 10.1097/00005768-200002000-00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Objectives of this study were to examine the perceived sense of knee joint position during selected test situations, and to evaluate the proposed kinesthetic effect of a neoprene knee sleeve during these test situations. METHODS Fifty-nine young healthy subjects (39 females and 20 males) attempted to replicate target knee joint angles using active and passive knee extension movements completed in sitting (nonaxially loaded) situations, and during active knee extension movements completed in supine while applying a load of 15% body weight through the long axis of the tibia (axially loaded). The criterion measure used was the absolute difference between target and reproduced angles, averaged over five attempts (Average absolute difference: AAD). RESULTS A three-way ANOVA (two genders by three test situations by two sleeve conditions), with repeated measures on the last two factors, indicated a significant main effect for test situation and sleeve condition (P < 0.05), but not for gender. There was also a significant test situation by sleeve condition interaction (P < 0.05). Post-hoc analysis indicated that the AAD score during the active nonaxially loaded test situation without the sleeve was significantly greater than AAD scores for all other tests (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Pre-existing differences in knee joint kinesthesis observed during different contexts of limb movement must be recognized before various interventions, including the effect of knee supports, can be adequately interpreted. Because knee joint position sense was attenuated during voluntary active movement, and because this attenuation was ameliorated by the use of a sleeve, future studies evaluating the kinesthetic effects of knee bracing may benefit from using active movements. However, since the sleeve did not affect performance during the axially loaded test situation, future studies should also evaluate the relationship between tests of knee joint kinesthesis and other more functional tests of neuromuscular performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T B Birmingham
- School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Proske U, Wise AK, Gregory JE. Movement detection thresholds at the human elbow joint. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2000; 123:143-7. [PMID: 10635711 DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6123(08)62851-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- U Proske
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Abstract
This review discusses the role of muscle receptors, in particular, that of muscle spindles, in the detection of movements, both passive and active. Emphasis is placed on the importance of conditioning the muscles acting at a joint before making measurements of thresholds to passive movements, to take into account muscle's thixotropic property. The detection threshold:movement velocity relation is discussed and described for a number of different joints. Implications for muscle spindles are considered from the generalisation that, when expressed in terms of proportion of muscle fascicle length change, detection thresholds are about the same at different joints. It is concluded that the available data supports the view that muscle spindles lie in parallel with only a portion of a muscle fascicle and not the whole fascicle. At the elbow joint, where it has been tested, movement detection threshold is lower during passive movements than during contraction of elbow muscles. Both peripheral mechanisms and mechanisms operating within the central nervous system may be responsible for the rise in threshold. The signalling of movements by spindles during a contraction raises the question of how the central nervous system is able to extract the length signal under such circumstances, given that there is likely to be co-activation of alpha and gamma motoneurones. The evidence for a central subtraction of fusimotor-evoked impulses and some recent experiments relevant to this idea are described. In conclusion, a number of points of uncertainly have been revealed in this area and these should be the subject of future experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- U Proske
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Wise AK, Gregory JE, Proske U. The responses of muscle spindles to small, slow movements in passive muscle and during fusimotor activity. Brain Res 1999; 821:87-94. [PMID: 10064791 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-8993(99)01071-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown that movement detection thresholds at the human elbow joint were less than a degree of joint rotation in the passive limb but were higher if they were measured while subjects co-contracted elbow muscles [A.K. Wise, J.E. Gregory, U. Proske, J. Physiol., 508 (1998) 325-330]. Here we report observations on the responses of muscle spindles of the soleus muscle of the anaesthetised cat to determine their ability to signal small length changes in the passive muscle and during a contraction, under conditions resembling those of the human experiments. After appropriate conditioning of the muscle to control for history effects, primary endings of muscle spindles showed thresholds to ramp stretch at 20 micrometers s-1 of between less than 5 micrometers and 15 micrometers, which translates to 0.05 degrees -0.15 degrees of human elbow joint rotation. Thresholds were much higher following conditioning to introduce slack in the muscle. Since during a voluntary contraction there is likely to be alpha:gamma co-activation, responses of spindles were also recorded during slow stretches (100 micrometers at 20 micrometers s-1) during static fusimotor stimulation, dynamic fusimotor stimulation, combined fusimotor stimulation and fusimotor plus skeletomotor stimulation. Invariably, responses to passive stretch were larger than during motor stimulation. It is concluded that spindles are sensitive enough to signal fractions of a degree of elbow joint rotation and that the rise in threshold observed during a voluntary contraction may be accounted for by the actions of fusimotor and skeletomotor axons on spindle stretch responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A K Wise
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Gregory JE, Wise AK, Wood SA, Prochazka A, Proske U. Muscle history, fusimotor activity and the human stretch reflex. J Physiol 1998; 513 ( Pt 3):927-34. [PMID: 9824729 PMCID: PMC2231312 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7793.1998.927ba.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
1. The previous history of contraction and length changes of a muscle influences the size of the stretch reflex and H reflex. Here we ask, is this dependence due to changes in mechanical properties of extrafusal fibres, intrafusal fibres of spindles, or both? 2. The soleus muscle of human subjects was conditioned using either a voluntary contraction or a contraction evoked by low-strength electrical stimulation, in the range 0-25 % of maximum. Following conditioning, reflexes were increased by more than twofold above the no-contraction value by a voluntary contraction of 5 % of maximum, or more, but not by electrical stimulation which presumably did not contract the intrafusal fibres of spindles. 3. When the muscle was conditioned with a contraction at a length shorter than the test length, rather than at the test length, a depressing effect on reflexes was attributed to both the burst of impulses generated in spindles when the muscle was stretched back to the test length and to a reduced stretch sensitivity of muscle spindles. 4. The experiments demonstrate the importance of keeping the muscle and its spindles in a defined mechanical state when measuring reflexes. They also point to the powerful facilitating influences of conditioning muscle contractions provided they recruit the intrafusal fibres of spindles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J E Gregory
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Abstract
1. Muscle receptors play an important role in our conscious perception of movement, but there are no published accounts of our ability to detect their signals during different motor tasks. The present experiments introduce a method to test muscular sense when humans move. 2. Muscle receptors were excited by an electrically induced twitch of the right extensor carpi ulnaris muscle. The muscle was stimulated via percutaneously inserted intramuscular electrodes or using surface stimulation through anaesthetized skin. Muscular sense was represented by the ability to detect the twitch and was compared between various tasks and stationary control trials. 3. Three hertz voluntary wrist movements significantly attenuated muscular sense to 37 % of control. This velocity-dependent attenuation was present over a range of twitch amplitudes suggesting it does not simply reflect a masking of low intensity stimuli. Perceptual ratings of twitch amplitude during fast imposed passive movements were reduced by 40 %, though this did not quite reach statistical significance. However, perceptual ratings of twitches evoked up to 2 s after the termination of the passive movements were significantly different from control. 4. Reaching with the stimulated, but not the contralateral, arm also significantly reduced muscular sense (to 40 %). 5. Attenuation to 58 % of control during cyclic stretching of the skin on the dorsum of the hand showed that signals from peripheral receptors may play a role. Attenuation prior to a single wrist flexion movement indicated that central sources can also contribute. 6. The results are consistent with current findings of a general attenuation of sensory feedback during movement and raise questions regarding the role of muscular sense in movement control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D F Collins
- Division of Neuroscience, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2S2.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|