Using kinematics and a dynamical systems approach to enhance understanding of clinically observed aberrant movement patterns

Abstract

The objective of this technical paper is to demonstrate how graphing kinematic data to represent body segment coordination and control can assist clinicians and researchers in understanding typical and aberrant human movement patterns. Aberrant movements are believed to be associated with musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. A dynamical systems approach to analyzing movement provides a useful way to study movement control and coordination. Continuous motion angle-angle and coupling angle-movement cycle graphs provide information about coordinated movement between body segments, whereas phase-plane graphs provide information about neuromuscular control of a body segment. Examples demonstrate how a dynamical systems approach can be used to represent (1) typical movement patterns of the lumbopelvic and shoulder regions; (2) aberrant coordination in an individual with low back pain who presented with altered lumbopelvic rhythm; and (3) aberrant control of shoulder movement in an individual with observed scapular dysrhythmia. Angle-angle and coupling angle-movement cycle graphs were consistent with clinical operational definitions of typical and altered lumbopelvic rhythm. Phase-plane graphs illustrated differences in scapular control between individuals having typical scapular motion and an individual with scapular dysrhythmia. Angle-angle, coupling angle-movement cycle, and phase-plane graphs provide information about the amount and timing of segmental motion, which clinicians assess when they observe movements. These approaches have the potential to (1) enhance understanding of typical and aberrant movement patterns; (2) assist with identifying underlying movement impairments that contribute to aberrant movements: and (3) improve clinicians’ ability to visually assess and categorize functional movements.

Reliability and measurement error of frontal and horizontal 3D spinal motion parameters in 219 patients with chronic low back pain

“…a neuromuscular control mechanism or it could reflect a psychological mechanism such as fear avoidance. Adding a dynamical systems approach to study movement control and coordination as proposed by B. Spinelli et al [ 31 ] may contribute to a deeper understanding of this component of locomotion.…”

Relationships between lumbar inter-vertebral motion and lordosis in healthy adult males: a cross sectional cohort study

“…Movement of the lumbar spine requires the participation of multiple segments and the relevant contributions of segments are a function of their own mechanical properties [ 1 ]. Aberrant spinal movement patterns are widely thought to be related to musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction [ 2 – 4 ], and as such they are used to inform surgical and conservative clinical decision making [ 1 , 5 – 7 ], and as indicators of spinal stability [ 3 , 8 – 10 ]. As a consequence of their wide variation in both low back pain and healthy populations however, the clinical importance of factors such as inter-vertebral range of motion (IV-RoM) remains unclear, and the identification of biomechanical factors that may contribute to low back pain, remains a challenge [ 11 ].…”

Movement Variability Increases With Shoulder Pain When Compensatory Strategies of the Upper Body Are Constrained

“…Smooth curves are believed to represent typical neuromuscular control, while irregular curves with rapid increases or decreases in angular velocity are believed to be indicative of poor control (Spinelli, Wattananon, Silfies, Talaty, & Ebaugh, 2015).…”