scholarly journals Video games towards Rehabilitation: Video Games based Rehabilitation Approach for Upper Limb Amputee Patients (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasrul Anuar Razak ◽  
N.A. Hashim ◽  
H. Gholizadeh
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Rehabilitation Protocol ◽  
Patient Motivation ◽  
Block Test ◽  
Amputee Rehabilitation

BACKGROUND Prepared residual muscles and induced specific brain plasticity are very important before wearing a myoelectric prosthetic hand. They can be achieved through exhausting and tedious muscle training. Conservative physiotherapeutic exercise often results in significant reduction in patient motivation. Motivation is a key factor for effective rehabilitation and is frequently used to determine rehabilitation outcome. While a few systems for upper limb amputee rehabilitation are available, playful concept in rehabilitation that usually increase patient engagement and perseverance through the use of video games is often unanalyzed in the upper limb amputee population. OBJECTIVE This study investigated whether the inclusion of video games in the upper limb amputee rehabilitation protocol could have a beneficial impact for muscle preparation before wearing myoelectric prosthesis, coordination and patient motivation. METHODS Ten participants, 5 amputee and 5 able-bodied, enrolled in ten 1-hour sessions within a 4-week rehabilitation program. In order to investigate the effect of the rehabilitation protocol used in this study, a virtual reality box and block test and electromyography assessment was performed. Maximum voluntary contraction was measured before, after, and two days after interacting with four different EMG-controlled computer games. Participants completed user evaluation survey and their motivation was assessed using the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) questionnaire. RESULTS Muscle strength and coordination increased at the end of training for all the participants. The result of the Pearson correlation indicated that there was a significant positive association between the training period and the Box and Block Test score (r(8): 0.95, p < 0.001). The percentage of Maximum Voluntary Contraction increment value is greater before training (6.84%) and in follow up session (7.14%) but was very small (2.11%) shortly after the training was conducted. The IMI assessed showed high scores for subscales of interest, perceived competence, choice and usefulness but low values for pressure and tension. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that videogames enhance motivation and adherence in upper limb amputee rehabilitation programs. The use of videogames could be seen as complementary methods for physical training in upper limb amputee rehabilitation. CLINICALTRIAL The test was approved by the Medical Research Ethics Committee (MREC) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia, Approval ID: NMRR-16-2106-32880.

Psychophysical Measures of Exertion. Are They Muscle Group Dependent?

1995 ◽  
Vol 39 (10) ◽  
pp. 694-698
Author(s):  
Anpin ‘Max» Chin ◽  
Ram R. Bishu ◽  
Susan Hallbeck
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Subjective Assessment ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Muscle Group ◽  
Muscle Groups ◽  
Male Subjects ◽  
Female Subjects

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the applicability of the RPE (CR-10) scale for a number of physical exertions which employ only the upper limb with a variety of muscle group sizes and exertion levels. Ten female and ten male subjects performed pinch and pulling tasks in which four different muscle groups were engaged employing the finger, wrist, forearm and the whole arm. MVC (maximum voluntary contraction) exertion levels, RPE (Borg's CR-10 scale) value, and accuracy of the subjective assessment were measured. The results indicate that the accuracy of psychophysical measures are not muscle dependent although force generating capability is dependent on the muscle group involved. Female subjects were found more accurate in their perception of perceived exertion at lower levels of exertion than male subjects. It also appears that the RPE rating can be used to assess a variety of exertion levels accurately for a range of tasks, involving a range of muscle group sizes and location.

Stepwise increase of upper limb muscle activity induced by progressive 4 positions of a handstand training

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Kazuaki Kinoshita ◽  
Yuichi Hoshino ◽  
Naoko Yokota ◽  
Masashi Hashimoto ◽  
Yuichiro Nishizawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Latissimus Dorsi ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Limb Muscle ◽  
Serratus Anterior ◽  
Muscle Loading ◽  
Lower Trapezius ◽  
Different Levels

BACKGROUND: Handstand is the most important fundamental skill in gymnastics. A gradual and well-balanced increase in muscle loading in a manner is preferred for young beginners and/or recovering gymnasts to safely achieve the muscle strength required to perform a stable handstand. OBJECTIVE: To examine upper limb muscle activity during different levels of handstand training positions. METHODS: This study utilized four different positions for progressive handstand training; namely, the 90, 135, elbow stand, and handstand positions. The activities of eight upper limb muscles (upper, middle, and lower trapezius; serratus anterior; anterior and middle deltoid; infraspinatus; and latissimus dorsi were measured by surface electromyography (EMG) for each position. The percentages of EMG in each muscle compared to the values during maximum voluntary contraction were calculated and compared between the positions. RESULTS: Muscle activity around the shoulder increased gradually throughout the progression of the four handstand training positions. Furthermore, the muscles required for scapular stabilization, such as the upper and middle trapezius and serratus anterior muscles, were activated at levels similar to those for a handstand without performing this movement. CONCLUSIONS: A progressive handstand training program of four different positions resulted in gradual and well-balanced increases in muscle activity.

Suspended Push-up Training Augments Size of not only Upper Limb but also Abdominal Muscles

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (12) ◽  
pp. 789-795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ren Kohiruimaki ◽  
Sumiaki Maeo ◽  
Hiroaki Kanehisa
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
And Function ◽  
Internal Oblique ◽  
Push Up

AbstractWe investigated the effects of sling-based, suspended push-up training on muscle size and function of upper limb and abdominal muscles. Eight men conducted suspended push-ups to failure 3 sets/session, 3 sessions/week, for 8 weeks. The maximum number of push-ups during training gradually and significantly increased from the first to last training session (+92%), suggesting improved muscle endurance. After the training, muscle thickness of the elbow extensors (+16%) and flexors (+3%), as well as abdominal muscles (rectus abdominis: RA,+27%; external oblique: EO,+14%) significantly increased. No changes occurred in maximum isometric strength of elbow extension or flexion, nor in 1-repetition maximum bench press. In a follow-up experiment, electromyograms (EMGs) of RA, EO and internal oblique (IO) during suspended push-ups to failure were measured and normalized to those during maximum voluntary contraction of each muscle (% EMGmvc) in six men. EMG significantly increased when reaching failure in all muscles (RA: 46–88%, EO: 32–50%, IO: 19–52%, start-end), and was particularly high in RA. These results suggest that suspended push-up training can augment size of not only upper limb but also abdominal muscles, likely attributable to high muscle activities during exercise; however, this does not necessarily improve maximum strength after training thus warrants careful interpretation/application.

Reflex Responses in Upper Limb Muscles to Cutaneous Stimuli

1993 ◽  
Vol 20 (04) ◽  
pp. 271-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Stimulus Intensity ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Cutaneous Reflexes ◽  
Focal Lesions ◽  
Normal Ranges ◽  
Conduction Velocities ◽  
Limb Muscles ◽  
Biphasic Responses

ABSTRACT:Cutaneous reflexes in the upper limb were elicited by stimulating digital nerves and recorded by averaging rectified EMG from proximal and distal upper limb muscles during voluntary contraction. Distal muscles often showed a triphasic response: an inhibition with onset about 50 ms (Il) followed by a facilitation with onset about 60 ms (E2) followed by another inhibition with onset about 80 ms (12). Proximal muscles generally showed biphasic responses beginning with facilitation or inhibition with onset at about 40 ms. Normal ranges for the amplitude of these components were established from recordings on 22 arms of 11 healthy subjects. An attempt was made to determine the alterent fibers responsible for the various components by varying the stimulus intensity, by causing ischemic block of larger fibers and by estimating the afferent conduction velocities. The central pathways mediating these reflexes were examined by estimating central delays and by studying patients with focal lesions

Revisiting Poststroke Upper Limb Stratification: Resilience in a Larger Cohort

2021 ◽  
pp. 154596832199204
Author(s):  
Benjamin J. Varley ◽  
Christine T. Shiner ◽  
Liam Johnson ◽  
Penelope A. McNulty ◽  
Angelica G. Thompson-Butel
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Stratification Method ◽  
Wolf Motor Function Test ◽  
Block Test ◽  
Time Restriction ◽  
Post Hoc

Background Upper limb (UL) impairment in stroke survivors is both multifactorial and heterogeneous. Stratification of motor function helps identify the most sensitive and appropriate assessments, which in turn aids the design of effective and individualized rehabilitation strategies. We previously developed a stratification method combining the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT) and Box and Block Test (BBT) to stratify poststroke UL motor function. Objective To investigate the resilience of the stratification method in a larger cohort and establish its appropriateness for clinical practice by investigating limitations of the GPT completion time. Methods Post hoc analysis of motor function for 96 community-dwelling participants with stroke (n = 68 male, 28 female, age 60.8 ± 14 years, 24.4 ± 36.6 months poststroke) was performed using the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (F-M), BBT, and GPT. Hypothesis-free and hypothesis-based hierarchical cluster analyses were conducted to determine the resilience of the stratification method. Results The hypothesis-based analysis identified the same functional groupings as the hypothesis-free analysis: low (n = 32), moderate (n = 26), and high motor function (n = 38), with 3 exceptions. Thirty-three of the 38 participants with fine manual dexterity completed the GPT in ≤5 minutes. The remaining 5 participants took 6 to 25 minutes to place all 25 pegs but used alternative movement strategies to complete the test. The GPT time restriction changed the functional profile of the moderate and high motor function groups leading to more misclassifications. Conclusion The stratification method unambiguously classifies participants by UL motor function. While the inclusion of a 5-minute cutoff time for the GPT is preferred for clinical practice, it is not recommended for stratification purposes.

scholarly journals Development of a trunk motor paradigm for use in neuroimaging

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 193-200
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Saunders ◽  
Brian C. Clark ◽  
Leatha A. Clark ◽  
Dustin R. Grooms
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Head Motion ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Cyclic Contraction ◽  
Cyclic Contractions ◽  
Measurement Units ◽  
Healthy Participants

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to quantify head motion between isometric erector spinae (ES) contraction strategies, paradigms, and intensities in the development of a neuroimaging protocol for the study of neural activity associated with trunk motor control in individuals with low back pain. Ten healthy participants completed two contraction strategies; (1) a supine upper spine (US) press and (2) a supine lower extremity (LE) press. Each contraction strategy was performed at electromyographic (EMG) contraction intensities of 30, 40, 50, and 60% of an individually determined maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) (±10% range for each respective intensity) with real-time, EMG biofeedback. A cyclic contraction paradigm was performed at 30% of MVC with US and LE contraction strategies. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) quantified head motion to determine the viability of each paradigm for neuroimaging. US vs LE hold contractions induced no differences in head motion. Hold contractions elicited significantly less head motion relative to cyclic contractions. Contraction intensity increased head motion in a linear fashion with 30% MVC having the least head motion and 60% the highest. The LE hold contraction strategy, below 50% MVC, was found to be the most viable trunk motor control neuroimaging paradigm.

scholarly journals The Effects of Spinal Manipulation on Motor Unit Behavior

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 105
Author(s):  
Lucien Robinault ◽  
Aleš Holobar ◽  
Sylvain Crémoux ◽  
Usman Rashid ◽  
Imran Khan Niazi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Unit ◽  
Conduction Velocity ◽  
Spinal Manipulation ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Movement Control ◽  
Position Sense ◽  
Joint Position Sense ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Passive Movement

Over recent years, a growing body of research has highlighted the neural plastic effects of spinal manipulation on the central nervous system. Recently, it has been shown that spinal manipulation improved outcomes, such as maximum voluntary force and limb joint position sense, reflecting improved sensorimotor integration and processing. This study aimed to further evaluate how spinal manipulation can alter neuromuscular activity. High density electromyography (HD sEMG) signals from the tibialis anterior were recorded and decomposed in order to study motor unit changes in 14 subjects following spinal manipulation or a passive movement control session in a crossover study design. Participants were asked to produce ankle dorsiflexion at two force levels, 5% and 10% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), following two different patterns of force production (“ramp” and “ramp and maintain”). A significant decrease in the conduction velocity (p = 0.01) was observed during the “ramp and maintain” condition at 5% MVC after spinal manipulation. A decrease in conduction velocity suggests that spinal manipulation alters motor unit recruitment patterns with an increased recruitment of lower threshold, lower twitch torque motor units.

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