The impact of visual feedback on the motor control of the upper-limb

Abstract

Abstract-Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability with upper-limb hemiparesis being one of the most frequent consequences. Given that stroke only affects the paretic arm's control structure (the set of synergies and activation vectors needed to perform a movement), we propose that the control structure of the non-affected arm can serve as a physiological reference to rehabilitate the paretic arm. However, it is unclear how rehabilitation can effectively tune the control structure of a patient. The use of Visual Feedback (VF) is recommended to boost stroke rehabilitation, as it is able to positively modify neural mechanisms and improve motor performance. Thus, in this study we investigate whether VF can effectively modify the control structure of the upper-limb. We asked six neurologically intact subjects to perform a complete upper-limb rehabilitation routine comprised of 12 movements in absence and presence of VF. Our results indicate that VF significantly increases interlimb similarity both in terms of synergies and activation coefficients. However, the magnitude of improvement depended upon each subject. In general, VF brings the control structure of the nondominant side closer to the control structure of dominant side, suggesting that VF modifies the control structure towards more optimized motor patterns. This is especially interesting because stroke mainly affects the activation coefficients of patients and because it has been shown that the control of the affected side resembles that of the nondominant side. In conclusion, VF may enhance motor performance by effectively tuning the control-structure. Notably, this finding offers new insights to design improved stroke rehabilitation.

Visual biofeedback using transperineal ultrasound in second stage of labor

“…Visual biofeedback can foster development of self‐regulation by providing a graphic representation of patients' physiological data and facilitating their awareness. The power of biofeedback with regard to labor lies in two sources: giving the patient a feeling of control by providing information about her body condition along with awareness of her ability to affect and change it, and indicating the proper direction for pushing in order to improve labor performance.…”

Helical axis analysis to quantify humeral kinematics during shoulder rotation

“…This suggests that in participants without symptoms visual input does not improve the ability to perform the requested task when proprioception is not impaired, as was the case in the present study. For people with symptoms, their proprioception may be altered (Urra et al 2015 ; Bardal et al 2016 ), and the HA parameters may show different values in these two conditions.…”

Effects of Real-Time (Sonification) and Rhythmic Auditory Stimuli on Recovering Arm Function Post Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Common treatment strategies to curb cognitive motor dysfunctions in stroke patients include training with virtual-reality ( 51 ), mental imagery ( 52 ), biofeedback ( 53 ), physical therapy ( 54 ), exercise ( 55 ), prosthesis ( 56 – 58 ), dual-task priority training, and more ( 59 ). Recently studies have tried to enhance the stroke recovery by simultaneously addressing the sensory deficits with motor rehabilitation by applying external sensory stimulation as a neuro-prosthetic ( 59 – 62 ). Studies have analyzed the effects of different sensory stimuli in auditory, visual and tactile domain on motor performance ( 59 , 61 , 62 ).…”

“…Recently studies have tried to enhance the stroke recovery by simultaneously addressing the sensory deficits with motor rehabilitation by applying external sensory stimulation as a neuro-prosthetic ( 59 – 62 ). Studies have analyzed the effects of different sensory stimuli in auditory, visual and tactile domain on motor performance ( 59 , 61 , 62 ). However, the literature predominantly supports the beneficial role of auditory stimuli ( 50 , 63 , 64 ).…”