Article
Neurosciences
Yushin Kim, Thomas C. Bulea, Diane L. Damiano
Summary: This study examines the influence of external environmental changes on muscle synergies in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and typically developing children (TD). The findings suggest that muscle synergies in children with CP are more sensitive to changes in the external walking environment.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Annike Bekius, Coen S. Zandvoort, Jennifer N. Kerkman, Laura A. van de Pol, R. Jeroen Vermeulen, Jaap Harlaar, Andreas Daffertshofer, Annemieke I. Buizer, Nadia Dominici
Summary: Research suggests that children with cerebral palsy recruit fewer muscle synergies during walking compared to typically developing children. This difference is more pronounced in the high-risk group, indicating early alterations in neuromuscular control. Additionally, children with asymmetric cerebral palsy walking independently tend to recruit fewer synergies on the more affected side.
Article
Neurosciences
Gregory S. Walsh
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the stability and complexity of muscle synergies to provide insights into the neural control of gait stability. The findings showed that increasing locomotion speed leads to increased complexity and decreased stability of COM motion and muscle synergies, while muscle synergies are more stable in dual task conditions.
Article
Psychology, Biological
I Hoang, L. Paire-Ficout, R. Derollepot, S. Perrey, H. Devos, M. Ranchet
Summary: Executive functions are crucial for successful walking tasks, especially when performing dual tasks. Previous studies have focused on the prefrontal cortex activity in older adults under different walking conditions, but little is known about the changes in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activity during the early stages of aging. This study aimed to compare the changes in DLPFC activity during simple and dual task walking across three age groups. The results revealed that older adults exhibited increased DLPFC activity in the right hemisphere during simple task walking, but they seemed to have enough cognitive resources to maintain performance during dual task walking. These findings suggest the presence of compensation mechanisms in early aging, which may have implications for fall risk assessment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Alison M. M. Williams, Maya Sato-Klemm, Emily G. Deegan, Gevorg Eginyan, Tania Lam
Summary: This study aimed to compare and characterize the activity of pelvic floor muscles (PFM) in healthy adults during walking and jogging. The results showed that PFM were active throughout the gait cycle, particularly during single-leg support. Faster speeds were associated with higher PFM activity. PFM and gluteus maximus were in phase during gait but not completely synchronized.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Sanne Ettema, Laura M. Oudenhoven, Karin Roeleveld, Annemieke Buizer, Marjolein M. van der Krogt
Summary: This study investigates the effects of prolonged walking on muscle fatigue and complexity of neuromuscular control in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The results indicate that signs of muscle fatigue are present in children with CP after prolonged walking, while there are no effects on typically developing children. However, both groups show minimal changes in complexity of neuromuscular control associated with muscle fatigue.
Article
Biophysics
Jay Kim, Emily S. Gardinier, Vibha Vempala, Deanna H. Gates
Summary: Individuals with transtibial amputation (TTA) exhibit greater muscle activity in the intact limb gluteus medius and residual limb vastus medialis when walking with a powered prosthesis, but changes in muscle activity do not consistently correlate with changes in metabolic cost. Effective stabilization of the residual limb during stance may lead to metabolic benefits for individuals using a powered prosthesis.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Yali Han, Frank C. Sup, Ziyang Han, Zhangzhang Mi
Summary: Adding mass affects human movement and alters lower limb muscle activities. This study investigated the influence of added mass on lower limbs by analyzing kinematics, muscle activities, and energy consumption. The results showed that with increased mass, muscle activation and joint torque increased, stride time decreased, and energy expenditure raised correspondingly. Overall, participants adjusted their muscle activities and movement patterns in response to added mass, indicating a relationship between energy consumption and added mass.
JOURNAL OF BIONIC ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Orthopedics
Sanam Tavakkoli Oskouei, Peter Malliaras, Paul Jansons, Keith Hill, Sze-Ee Soh, Shapour Jaberzadeh, Luke Perraton
Summary: Ankle plantar flexor (PF) muscle strength is moderately associated with dynamic reactive and proactive balance in older adults, weakly associated with static balance and walking speed. In younger adults, there is a moderate association between early-phase PF rate of torque development and reactive balance. This highlights the potential role of PF strength in dynamic balance tasks.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Kazuki Fujita, Yasutaka Kobayashi, Masahito Hitosugi
Summary: This study found that the muscle activity during extended walking varies in different sides, muscle types, and gait phases for stroke patients. However, walking performance remains stable despite neuromuscular fatigue.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Amitava Halder, Axel Nordin, Michael Miller, Chuansi Gao
Summary: This gait biomechanics study examined various factors during the stance phase of the dominant leg after an exhaustive stair ascent. The results showed that post-exhaustive walking downwards led to a shorter stride length, a reduction in vertical ground reaction forces during late stance phase, and an increase in required coefficient of friction. However, there were no significant changes in joint angles, suggesting that walking downwards is less demanding than walking up an incline.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lotte Hagedoorn, Matjaz Zadravec, Andrej Olensek, Edwin van Asseldonk, Zlatko Matjacic
Summary: The muscle synergy theory suggests that the central nervous system recruits muscle synergies with different strengths and timings to generate complex motor outputs. This study found that there is a shared set of muscle synergies between perturbed and unperturbed walking at fast speeds, but this shared muscle synergy is less present during slow walking.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Vinicius de Belli, Diego Orcioli-Silva, Victor Spiandor Beretta, Rodrigo Vitorio, Vinicius Cavassano Zampier, Priscila Nobrega-Sousa, Nubia Ribeiro da Conceic, Lilian Teresa Bucken Gobbi
Summary: This study investigated the influence of aging on PFC activity during overground walking at preferred and fast speeds. Older adults showed higher PFC activity than young adults in both conditions, with speed-related changes in PFC activity observed for older adults but not for young adults. The findings suggest that older adults recruit additional prefrontal cognitive resources to control walking, indicating a compensatory mechanism, and the left PFC seems to be involved in the modulation of gait speed in older adults.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Jinuk Kim, Jungsoo Lee, Gihyoun Lee, Won Hyuk Chang, Myoung-Hwan Ko, Woo-Kyoung Yoo, Gyu-Ha Ryu, Yun-Hee Kim
Summary: This study investigated the correlation between lower limb muscle activity and cortical activation during treadmill walking in two groups of elderly people: the young-old and the old-old. The results showed that there was a strong correlation between lower extremity muscle activity and cortical activation, especially in the swing phase, and this correlation was significantly stronger in the young-old compared to the old-old. The study also found that the correlations between muscle activity and cortical activation were stronger during fast walking and cognitive dual-task walking than during comfortable walking in both groups.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Matthew M. DaSilva, Vishnu D. Chandran, Philippe C. Dixon, Ji Meng Loh, Jack T. Dennerlein, Jeffrey M. Schiffman, Saikat Pal
Summary: This study found that older adults have higher muscle co-contractions, especially in the ankle muscles, when walking on uneven surfaces. Older females also displayed higher ankle and knee muscle co-contractions compared to older males during walking, highlighting gender differences in motor control adaptations.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Rehabilitation
An De Groef, Ann Hallemans, Nick Gebruers, Jill Meirte, Wim Saeys, Steven Truijen, Vincent Haenen, Charlotte Johnson, Lotte Meert, Lies Peeters, Erik Fransen, Mira Meeus, Lies Durnez
Summary: The study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown measures on the general health status of patients with chronic health conditions in Belgium. The results show that a significant number of adults and children reported a worsening of their health status during the lockdown. Negative personal factors and unhelpful health behavior were associated with a worse health status.
PHYSIOTHERAPY THEORY AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Saranda Bekteshi, Marco Konings, Petra Karlsson, Tamaya Van Criekinge, Bernard Dan, Elegast Monbaliu
Summary: This review synthesized existing evidence on the effectiveness of speech-language teleinterventions delivered via videoconferencing to users of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. The findings suggest that speech-language teleinterventions show great potential for improving independent use of AAC devices and have high satisfaction and treatment acceptability. However, future studies with larger sample sizes and more robust methodology are needed to generalize the results across different populations.
DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Charlotte De Vestel, Willem De Hertogh, Vincent Van Rompaey, Luc Vereeck
Summary: This study developed a customized web-based vestibular rehabilitation therapy program for patients with chronic dizziness. The user experience revealed that the program was perceived as useful, acceptable, satisfactory, and of good quality.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INFORMATICS
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Auwal Abdullahi, Thomson W. L. Wong, Tamaya Van Criekinge, Shamay S. M. Ng
Summary: The aim of this study is to summarize the effects of combining noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) with constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) in stroke patients. The results showed that both NIBS+CIMT and sham NIBS+CIMT improved all outcomes post-intervention and at follow-up. However, NIBS+CIMT was superior to sham NIBS+CIMT in improving motor impairment and hand function. Therefore, adding NIBS to CIMT may provide additional benefits for function recovery after stroke.
EXPERT REVIEW OF NEUROTHERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Karen Verheyen, Lore Wyers, Eugenie Lambrecht, An-Sofie Schoonjans, Berten Ceulemans, Patricia van de Walle, Ann Hallemans
Summary: This cohort study aimed to describe functional mobility in individuals with Dravet syndrome. The results showed limitations in dual tasks and activities requiring stability, with limitations increasing from the age of 18 years. Age at independent walking, gait impairments, intellectual disability, and BMI can impact functional mobility in Dravet syndrome.
DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Rehabilitation
Charlotte Johnson, Ann Hallemans, Mieke Goetschalckx, Pieter Meyns, Eugene Rameckers, Katrijn Klingels, Evi Verbecque
Summary: This article examines functional tests for evaluating postural control deficits in children and summarizes the available assessment tools and their psychometric properties. The study found that currently only two functional tests encompass the entire construct of postural control. While reliability is generally good, validity results depend on the task, age, and pathology. Future research should focus on test batteries and particularly explore structural validity and responsiveness in different populations with strong study designs.
ANNALS OF PHYSICAL AND REHABILITATION MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Lien Van Laer, Ann Hallemans, Sebastien Janssens de Varebeke, Clara De Somer, Vincent Van Rompaey, Luc Vereeck
Summary: This study explores compensatory strategies and their association with patient characteristics in cases of acute unilateral vestibulopathy. Adequate restoration and adaptation were found to improve balance performance and reduce perceived handicap, anxiety, and depression in patients with UVP.
EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Tamaya Van Criekinge, Charlotte Heremans, Jane Burridge, Judith E. Deutsch, Ulrike Hammerbeck, Kristen Hollands, Suruliraj Karthikbabu, Jan Mehrholz, Jennifer L. Moore, Nancy M. Salbach, Jonas Schroder, Janne M. Veerbeek, Vivian Weerdesteyn, Karen Borschmann, Leonid Churilov, Geert Verheyden, Gert Kwakkel, ADVISORY Board
Summary: This study establishes consensus on standardized outcome tools and metrics for measuring mobility recovery in stroke survivors. The recommended measures and technologies provide valuable guidance for stroke rehabilitation research and contribute to the development of high-quality, standardized data sets.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Joeri R. Verbiest, Bruno Bonnechere, Wim Saeys, Patricia van de Walle, Steven Truijen, Pieter Meyns
Summary: This study developed a machine-learning model for gait stride length estimation deployable on a microcontroller, demonstrating the potential of embedded machine learning in designing wearable sensor devices for gait analysis.
Article
Neurosciences
A. Chalimourdas, A. Gilles, W. De Hertogh, S. Michiels
Summary: This study investigated the effect of different vibration frequencies and locations on postural sway and provided guidance for future research. The results showed that neck muscle vibration significantly changed center of pressure displacement, mean velocity, RMS, and area. However, there were no significant differences between the different combinations of vibration frequency and location.
EXPERIMENTAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Tamaya Van Criekinge, Ann Hallemans, Patricia van de Walle, Lizeth H. Sloot
Summary: Age and sex have an impact on trunk motion during walking. Age-related differences in trunk kinematics increase with age and are observed earlier in females compared to males. Differences in energy demands are more pronounced in females. Training to prolong mobility should be tailored to sex.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Tamaya Van Criekinge, Charlotte Heremans, Jane Burridge, Judith E. Deutsch, Ulrike Hammerbeck, Kristen Hollands, Suruliraj Karthikbabu, Jan Mehrholz, Jennifer L. Moore, Nancy M. Salbach, Jonas Schroder, Janne M. Veerbeek, Vivian Weerdesteyn, Karen Borschmann, Leonid Churilov, Geert Verheyden, Gert Kwakkel, ADVISORY Board
Summary: By convening worldwide experts, a consensus was reached on a core set of outcome measures and recommended instruments for measuring lower extremity motor function, balance, and mobility in stroke survivors. These recommendations aim to improve the validity and comparability of stroke recovery and rehabilitation studies, ultimately leading to high-quality, participant-specific data sets to advance precision medicine in stroke rehabilitation.
NEUROREHABILITATION AND NEURAL REPAIR
(2023)