Cortical activity during sensorial tactile stimulation in healthy adults through Vojta therapy. A randomized pilot controlled trial

Abstract

Background Brain’s is stimulated by Vojta Therapy through selected body areas activating stored innate motor programs which are exported as coordinate movement and muscle contractions to trunk and limbs. The aim of this pilot study is to know the responses at cortical level to a specific tactile input, assessed by electroencephalography (EEG), compared to a sham stimulation, in healthy subjects. Methods A randomized-controlled trial was conducted. Participants were randomly distributed into two groups: a non-specific tactile input-group (non-STI-group) (n = 20) and a Vojta specific tactile input-group (V-STI-group) (n = 20). The non-STI-group was stimulated in a non specific area (quadriceps distal area) and V-STI-group was stimulated in a specific area (intercostal space, at the mammillary line between the 7th and 8th ribs) according to the Vojta therapy. Recording was performed with EEG for 10 min considering a first minute of rest, 8 min during the stimulus and 1 min after the stimulus. EEG activity was recorded from 32 positions with active Ag/AgCl scalp electrodes following the 10–20 system. The continuous EEG signal was split into consecutive segments of one minute. Results The V-STI-group showed statistically significant differences in the theta, low alpha and high alpha bands, bilaterally in the supplementary motor (SMA) and premotor (PMA) areas (BA6 and BA8), superior parietal cortex (BA5, BA7) and the posterior cingulate cortex (BA23, BA31). For the V-STI-group, all frequency bands presented an initial bilateral activation of the superior and medial SMA (BA6) during the first minute. This activation was maintained until the fourth minute. During the fourth minute, the activation decreased in the three frequency bands. From the fifth minute, the activation in the superior and medial SMA rose again in the three frequency bands Conclusions Our findings highlight that the specific stimulation area at intercostal space, on the mammillary line between 7 and 8th ribs according to Vojta therapy differentially increased bilateral activation in SMA (BA6) and Pre-SMA (BA8), BA5, BA7, BA23 and BA31 in the theta, low and high alpha bands in healthy subjects. These results could indicate the activation of innate locomotor circuits during stimulation of the pectoral area according to the Vojta therapy. Trial registration Retrospectively registered. This randomized controlled trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04317950 (March 23, 2020).

Effect of Physiotherapy on the Promotion of Bone Mineralization in Preterm Infants. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

“…Experimental group (EGrlt), with RLT according to the procedures used by other authors [16][17][18][19] , for 16 minutes divided into two Physiotherapy sessions of 8 minutes each, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. The exercises corresponding to the motor complexes of the 1st phase of re ex rolling and the re ex creeping were performed, dedicating one minute to each side and performing two repetitions in each session.…”

“…The other leg is placed with the hip in external rotation and abduction, leaving the support on the internal condyle of the femur, the knee slightly exed, and the heel aligned with the ischium. The stimulation is carried out, with the index nger of one hand, on the lateral tuberosity of the calcaneus, in the ventral-cranial-medial direction of the leg opposite to the turn of the head, and with the index nger of the other hand, on the epitrochlea of the arm towards which the head is turned, in a dorsalmedial-cranial direction 18,19 .…”

“…involuntary movement patterns [16][17][18][19] . This is because through the RLT, CNS activation takes place from the spinal level to the subcortical and cortical areas 18,19 .…”

Effect of Physiotherapy on the Promotion of Bone Mineralization in Preterm Infants. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

“…The RLT consists in a stimulation of the central nervous system (CNS) by proprioceptive stimulation, which activates innate locomotion patterns. These stimulation provokes a reaction that involves the whole body, producing synergistic muscle contractions, which leads to speci c active and involuntary movement patterns [16][17][18][19] . This is because through the RLT, CNS activation takes place from the spinal level to the subcortical and cortical areas 18,19 .…”

Comparison of Activity in Scapular Stabilizing Muscles during Knee Push-Up Plus and Modified Vojta’s 3-Point Support Exercises

“…This differentiation of muscle function occurs in CKC and also causes the coordinated contraction of various muscles through mechanical compression of the articular surface by strengthening muscles and increasing endurance [ 18 ]. There have been many recent studies on the clinical effects and treatment mechanisms of Vojta therapy [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. This study hypothesized that three-point support, the final muscle response in Vojta therapy, would be effective for enhancing shoulder joint stability by prompting the coordinated contraction of various muscles and stimulating proprioceptors by triggering differentiation of muscle function through CKC.…”