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Lei Y, Rios V, Ji J, Duhon B, Boyd H, Xu Y. Quantifying unsupported sitting posture impairments in humans with cervical spinal cord injury using a head-mounted IMU sensor. Spinal Cord 2024; 62:65-70. [PMID: 38158410 DOI: 10.1038/s41393-023-00951-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES To evaluate unsupported sitting posture impairments and identify postural regulatory strategies in cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI) participants via a head-mounted IMU sensor. SETTING A research lab in the United States of America. METHODS cSCI participants and controls maintained postural stability during unsupported sitting with eyes either open or closed. The head-mounted IMU sensor recorded accelerometer data to calculate cumulative sway motion. The postural regulatory strategy was analyzed by assessing the normalized power spectral density (PSD) in four frequency bands: 0-0.1 Hz (visual regulation), 0.1-0.5 Hz (vestibular regulation), 0.5-1 Hz (cerebellar regulation), and >1 Hz (proprioception and muscle control). RESULTS Significant increases in postural sway were observed in cSCI participants compared to controls during unsupported sitting. For cSCI participants, normalized PSD significantly increased in the low-frequency bands (0-0.1 Hz and 0.1-0.5 Hz) but decreased in the high-frequency band (>1 Hz) compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS cSCI participants were more reliant on visual and vestibular systems for sitting balance, while depending less on proprioception and muscle control compared to controls. These findings suggest that the altered postural regulatory strategy is ineffective in maintaining postural stability during unsupported sitting, emphasizing the importance of proprioception and muscle control for seated postural stability in cSCI participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuming Lei
- Program of Motor Neuroscience, Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| | - Victoria Rios
- Program of Motor Neuroscience, Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Jessica Ji
- Program of Motor Neuroscience, Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Brandon Duhon
- Program of Motor Neuroscience, Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Hunter Boyd
- Program of Motor Neuroscience, Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Yunhan Xu
- Program of Motor Neuroscience, Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
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Bao S, Lei Y. Motor unit activity and synaptic inputs to motoneurons in the caudal part of the injured spinal cord. J Neurophysiol 2024; 131:187-197. [PMID: 38117916 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00178.2023] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts neuronal function below the lesion epicenter, causing disuse muscle atrophy. We investigated motor unit (MU) activity and synaptic inputs to motoneurons in the caudal region of the injured spinal cord. Participants with C4-C7 cervical injuries were studied. The extensor digitorum communis (EDC) muscle, which is mainly innervated by C8, was assessed for disuse muscle atrophy. Using advanced electromyography and signal-processing techniques, we examined the concurrent activation of a substantial population of MUs during force-tracking tasks. We found that in participants with SCI (n = 9), both MU discharge rates and the amplitudes of MU action potentials were significantly lower than in controls (n = 9). After SCI, MUs were recruited in a limited force range as the strength of muscle contractions increased, implying a disruption in the orderly MU recruitment pattern. Coherence analysis revealed reduced synaptic inputs to motoneurons in the delta band (0.5-5 Hz) for participants with SCI, suggesting diminished common synaptic inputs to the EDC muscle. In addition, participants with SCI exhibited greater muscle force variability. Using principal component analysis on low-frequency MU discharge rates, we found that the first common component (FCC) captured the most discharge variability in participants with SCI. The coefficients of variation (CV) of the FCC correlated with force signal CVs, suggesting force variability mainly results from common synaptic inputs to the EDC muscle after SCI. These results advance our understanding of the neurophysiology of disuse muscle atrophy in human SCI, paving the way for therapeutic interventions to restore muscle function.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study analyzed motor unit (MU) function below the lesion epicenter in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). We found reduced MU discharge rates and action potential amplitudes in participants with SCI compared with controls. The strength of common synaptic inputs to motoneurons was reduced in patients with SCI, with increased force variability primarily due to low-frequency oscillations of common inputs. This study enhances understanding of neurophysiological and behavioral changes in disuse muscle atrophy post-SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shancheng Bao
- Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States
| | - Yuming Lei
- Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States
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Bhat SG, Shin AY, Kaufman KR. Upper extremity asymmetry due to nerve injuries or central neurologic conditions: a scoping review. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2023; 20:151. [PMID: 37940959 PMCID: PMC10634143 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-023-01277-7] [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: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peripheral nerve injuries and central neurologic conditions can result in extensive disabilities. In cases with unilateral impairment, assessing the asymmetry between the upper extremity has been used to assess outcomes of treatment and severity of injury. A wide variety of validated and novel tests and sensors have been utilized to determine the upper extremity asymmetry. The purpose of this article is to review the literature and define the current state of the art for describing upper extremity asymmetry in patients with peripheral nerve injuries or central neurologic conditions. METHOD An electronic literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, OVID was performed for publications between 2000 to 2022. Eligibility criteria were subjects with neurological conditions/injuries who were analyzed for dissimilarities in use between the upper extremities. Data related to study population, target condition/injury, types of tests performed, sensors used, real-world data collection, outcome measures of interest, and results of the study were extracted. Sackett's Level of Evidence was used to judge the quality of the articles. RESULTS Of the 7281 unique articles, 112 articles met the inclusion criteria for the review. Eight target conditions/injuries were identified (Brachial Plexus Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Peripheral Nerve Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Schizophrenia, and stroke). The tests performed were classified into thirteen categories based on the nature of the test and data collected. The general results related to upper extremity asymmetry were listed for all the reviewed articles. Stroke was the most studied condition, followed by cerebral palsy, with kinematics and strength measurement tests being the most frequently used tests. Studies with a level of evidence level II and III increased between 2000 and 2021. The use of real-world evidence-based data, and objective data collection tests also increased in the same period. CONCLUSION Adequately powered randomized controlled trials should be used to study upper extremity asymmetry. Neurological conditions other than stroke should be studied further. Upper extremity asymmetry should be measured using objective outcome measures like motion tracking and activity monitoring in the patient's daily living environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandesh G Bhat
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Alexander Y Shin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Kenton R Kaufman
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
- Motion Analysis Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, DAHLC 4-214A, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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Differences in motor unit recruitment patterns and low frequency oscillation of discharge rates between unilateral and bilateral isometric muscle contractions. Hum Mov Sci 2022; 83:102952. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2022.102952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Balbinot G, Li G, Wiest MJ, Pakosh M, Furlan JC, Kalsi-Ryan S, Zariffa J. Properties of the surface electromyogram following traumatic spinal cord injury: a scoping review. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2021; 18:105. [PMID: 34187509 PMCID: PMC8244234 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-021-00888-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts spinal and supraspinal pathways, and this process is reflected in changes in surface electromyography (sEMG). sEMG is an informative complement to current clinical testing and can capture the residual motor command in great detail-including in muscles below the level of injury with seemingly absent motor activities. In this comprehensive review, we sought to describe how the sEMG properties are changed after SCI. We conducted a systematic literature search followed by a narrative review focusing on sEMG analysis techniques and signal properties post-SCI. We found that early reports were mostly focused on the qualitative analysis of sEMG patterns and evolved to semi-quantitative scores and a more detailed amplitude-based quantification. Nonetheless, recent studies are still constrained to an amplitude-based analysis of the sEMG, and there are opportunities to more broadly characterize the time- and frequency-domain properties of the signal as well as to take fuller advantage of high-density EMG techniques. We recommend the incorporation of a broader range of signal properties into the neurophysiological assessment post-SCI and the development of a greater understanding of the relation between these sEMG properties and underlying physiology. Enhanced sEMG analysis could contribute to a more complete description of the effects of SCI on upper and lower motor neuron function and their interactions, and also assist in understanding the mechanisms of change following neuromodulation or exercise therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Balbinot
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 2A2, Canada.
| | - Guijin Li
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 2A2, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Matheus Joner Wiest
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 2A2, Canada
| | - Maureen Pakosh
- Library & Information Services, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Julio Cesar Furlan
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 2A2, Canada
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sukhvinder Kalsi-Ryan
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 2A2, Canada
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jose Zariffa
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 2A2, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Cerebellar contribution to sensorimotor adaptation deficits in humans with spinal cord injury. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2507. [PMID: 33510183 PMCID: PMC7843630 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77543-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans with spinal cord injury (SCI) show deficits in associating motor commands and sensory feedback. Do these deficits affect their ability to adapt movements to new demands? To address this question, we used a robotic exoskeleton to examine learning of a sensorimotor adaptation task during reaching movements by distorting the relationship between hand movement and visual feedback in 22 individuals with chronic incomplete cervical SCI and 22 age-matched control subjects. We found that SCI individuals showed a reduced ability to learn from movement errors compared with control subjects. Sensorimotor areas in anterior and posterior cerebellar lobules contribute to learning of movement errors in intact humans. Structural brain imaging showed that sensorimotor areas in the cerebellum, including lobules I-VI, were reduced in size in SCI compared with control subjects and cerebellar atrophy increased with increasing time post injury. Notably, the degree of spared tissue in the cerebellum was positively correlated with learning rates, indicating participants with lesser atrophy showed higher learning rates. These results suggest that the reduced ability to learn from movement errors during reaching movements in humans with SCI involves abnormalities in the spinocerebellar structures. We argue that this information might help in the rehabilitation of people with SCI.
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Jo HJ, Perez MA. Changes in motor-evoked potential latency during grasping after tetraplegia. J Neurophysiol 2019; 122:1675-1684. [PMID: 30673355 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00671.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The corticospinal pathway contributes to the control of grasping in intact humans. After spinal cord injury (SCI), there is an extensive reorganization in the corticospinal pathway; however, its contribution to the control of grasping after the injury remains poorly understood. We addressed this question by using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the hand representation of the motor cortex to elicit motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in an intrinsic finger muscle during precision grip and power grip with the TMS coil oriented to induce currents in the brain in the latero-medial (LM) direction to activate corticospinal axons directly and in the posterior-anterior (PA) and anterior-posterior (AP) directions to activate the axon indirectly through synaptic inputs in humans with and without cervical incomplete SCI. We found prolonged MEP latencies in all coil orientations in both tasks in SCI compared with control subjects. The latencies of MEPs elicited by AP relative to LM stimuli were consistently longer during power compared with precision grip in controls and SCI subjects. In contrast, PA relative to LM MEP latencies were similar between tasks across groups. Central conduction time of AP MEPs was prolonged during power compared with precision grip in controls and SCI participants. Our results support evidence indicating that inputs activated by AP and PA currents are engaged to a different extent during fine and gross grasping in humans with and without SCI.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The mechanisms contributing to the control of hand function in humans with spinal cord injury (SCI) remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that the latency of corticospinal responses elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation anterior-posterior induced currents, relative to latero-medial currents, was prolonged during power compared with precision grip in humans with and without SCI. Gross grasping might represent a stragegy to engage networks activated by anterior-posterior currents after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Jin Jo
- University of Miami, Department of Neurological Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miami, Florida.,Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida
| | - Monica A Perez
- University of Miami, Department of Neurological Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miami, Florida.,Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida
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Berardi A, Biondillo A, Màrquez MA, De Santis R, Fabbrini G, Tofani M, Valente D, Galeoto G. Validation of the short version of the Van Lieshout Test in an Italian population with cervical spinal cord injuries: a cross-sectional study. Spinal Cord 2018; 57:339-345. [DOI: 10.1038/s41393-018-0226-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Britten L, Coats RO, Ichiyama RM, Raza W, Jamil F, Astill SL. The effect of task symmetry on bimanual reach-to-grasp movements after cervical spinal cord injury. Exp Brain Res 2018; 236:3101-3111. [PMID: 30132041 PMCID: PMC6223837 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-018-5354-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Injury to the cervical spinal cord results in deficits in bimanual control, reducing functional independence and quality of life. Despite this, little research has investigated the control strategies which underpin bimanual arm/hand movements following cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI). Using kinematics and surface electromyography this study explored how task symmetry affects bimanual control, in patients with an acute cSCI (< 6 m post injury), as they performed naturalistic bimanual reach-to-grasp actions (to objects at 50% and 70% of their maximal reach distance), and how this differs compared to uninjured age-matched controls. Twelve adults with a cSCI (mean age 69.25 years), with lesions at C3–C8, categorized by the American Spinal Injury Impairment Scale (AIS) at C or D and 12 uninjured age-matched controls (AMC) (mean age 69.29 years) were recruited. Participants with a cSCI produced reach-to-grasp actions which took longer, were slower, less smooth and had longer deceleration phases than AMC (p < 0.05). Participants with a cSCI were less synchronous than AMC at peak velocity and just prior to object pick up (p < 0.05), but both groups ended the movement in a synchronous fashion. Peak muscle activity occurred just prior to object pick up for both groups. While there seems to be a greater reliance on the deceleration phase of the movement, we observed minimal disruption of the more impaired limb on the less impaired limb and no additional effects of task symmetry on bimanual control. Further research is needed to determine how to take advantage of this retained bimanual control in therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Britten
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - R O Coats
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - R M Ichiyama
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - W Raza
- Yorkshire Regional Spinal Injuries Centre, Pinderfields General Hospital, Aberford Road, Wakefield, WF1 4DG, UK
| | - F Jamil
- Yorkshire Regional Spinal Injuries Centre, Pinderfields General Hospital, Aberford Road, Wakefield, WF1 4DG, UK
| | - S L Astill
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
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