Muscle co-contraction patterns in robot-mediated force field learning to guide specific muscle group training.

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation
Published Date:

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Muscle co-contraction is a strategy of increasing movement accuracy and stability employed in dealing with force perturbation of movement. It is often seen in neuropathological populations. The direction of movement influences the pattern of co-contraction, but not all movements are easily achievable for populations with motor deficits. Manipulating the direction of the force instead, may be a promising rehabilitation protocol to train movement with use of a co-contraction reduction strategy. Force field learning paradigms provide a well described procedure to evoke and test muscle co-contraction.

Authors

  • Sara Pizzamiglio
    Neuroplasticity and Neurorehabilitation Doctoral Training Programme, Neurorehabilitation Unit, School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, London, UK.
  • Adela Desowska
    Neuroplasticity and Neurorehabilitation Doctoral Training Programme, Neurorehabilitation Unit, School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, London, UK.
  • Pegah Shojaii
    Neuroplasticity and Neurorehabilitation Doctoral Training Programme, Neurorehabilitation Unit, School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, London, UK.
  • Myriam Taga
    Neuroplasticity and Neurorehabilitation Doctoral Training Programme, Neurorehabilitation Unit, School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, London, UK.
  • Duncan L Turner
    NeuroRehabilitation Unit, School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, London, E15 4LZ, England. d.l.turner@uel.ac.uk.