Cortico-muscular coherence of time-frequency and spatial characteristics under movement observation, movement execution, and movement imagery

Studies show that movement observation (MO), movement imagery (MI), or movement execution (ME) based brain-computer interface systems are promising in promoting the rehabilitation and reorganization of damaged motor function. This study was aimed to explore and compare the motor function rehabilitation mechanism among MO, MI, and ME. 64-channel electroencephalogram and 4-channel electromyogram data were collected from 39 healthy participants (25 males, 14 females; 18-23 years old) during MO, ME, and MI. We analyzed and compared the inter-cortical, inter-muscular, cortico-muscular, and spatial coherence under MO, ME, and MI. Under MO, ME, and MI, cortico-muscular coherence was strongest at the beta-lh band, which means the beta frequency band for cortical signals and the lh frequency band for muscular signals. 56.25-96.88% of the coherence coefficients were significantly larger than 0.5 (ps < 0.05) at the beta-lh band. MO and ME had a contralateral advantage in the spatial coherence between cortex and muscle, while MI had an ipsilateral advantage in the spatial coherence between cortex and muscle. Our results show that the cortico-muscular beta-lh band plays a critical role in the synchronous coupling between cortex and muscle. Also, our findings suggest that the primary motor cortex (M1), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), supplementary motor area (SMA), and premotor cortex (PMC) are the specific regions of MO, ME, and MI. However, their pathways of regulating muscles are different under MO, ME, and MI. This study is important for better understanding the motor function rehabilitation mechanism in MO, MI, and ME.

Executive Function After Yoga: Adults With Acquired Brain Injury-A Pilot Study

IMPORTANCE

Acquired brain injury (ABI) may result in deficits in executive function (EF), which affects engagement in occupations.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the impact of group yoga on EF in people with ABI.

DESIGN

Single-arm pilot study with preyoga assessments and postyoga assessments (after 8 wk of yoga).

SETTING

Yoga classes and assessments were completed within university buildings on a college campus.

PARTICIPANTS

Twelve participants with chronic ABI (>6 mo post-ABI) were recruited through convenience and purposive strategies from the local community.

INTERVENTION

An 8-wk adaptive group yoga intervention was provided by an adaptive yoga specialist. Yoga classes were 60 min and occurred once per week.

OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

EF was assessed before and after the yoga intervention using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A) self-report form. Normative data were analyzed with paired sample t tests.

RESULTS

Nine participants completed all study procedures. Results from paired sample t tests showed significant improvements on the Behavioral Regulation Index of the BRIEF-A (p = .046). No significant improvements were found on individual EF scales, the Metacognition Index, or the Global Executive Composite (ps > .05).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Group-based yoga may improve some aspects of EF for adults with chronic ABI; however, further research with larger sample sizes is needed. Plain-Language Summary: Yoga, an intervention increasingly used in occupational therapy practice, may be beneficial in improving behavioral regulation (an executive function) for adults with acquired brain injury.

An Exploration of Yoga in Occupational Therapy Practice for Multiple Sclerosis

The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to provide insight on the use of yoga in occupational therapy (OT) for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). This study aimed to answer how and why OT practitioners (OTPs) integrate yoga into clinical practice for PwMS. Eight OTPs, half of whom have also completed yoga teacher training, participated in a semi-structured telephone interview. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, inductively open-coded, and analyzed using thematic data analysis. Themes that emerged were: (a) OT and yoga are a natural fit; (b) improved performance and participation; (c) leveraging personal ties to yoga; and (d) influenced by client factors and clinical environment. The qualitative data provide valuable information about OTPs' justification for, and unique application of, yoga in clinical practice for PwMS. Future researchers should further explore the use of yoga for OT-related outcomes and the experience of PwMS.