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Ishikawa K, Kaneko N, Sasaki A, Nakazawa K. Modulation of lower limb muscle corticospinal excitability during various types of motor imagery. Neurosci Lett 2024; 818:137551. [PMID: 37926294 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Motor imagery (MI) is used for rehabilitation and sports training. Previous studies focusing on the upper limb have investigated the effects of MI on corticospinal excitability in the muscles involved in the imagined movement (i.e., the agonist muscles). The present study focused on several lower-limb movements and investigated the influences of MI on corticospinal excitability in the lower limb muscles. Twelve healthy individuals (ten male and two female individuals) participated in this study. Motor-evoked potentials (MEP) from the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA), and soleus (SOL) muscles were elicited through transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the primary motor cortex during MI of knee extension, knee flexion, ankle dorsiflexion, and ankle plantarflexion and at rest. The results showed that the RF MEPs were significantly increased during MI in knee extension, ankle dorsiflexion, and ankle plantarflexion but not in knee flexion, compared with those at rest. The TA MEPs were significantly increased during MI in knee extension and foot dorsiflexion, while MEPs were not significantly different during MI in knee flexion and foot dorsiflexion than those at rest. For the BF and SOL muscles, there was no significant MEP modulation in either MI. These results demonstrated that corticospinal excitability of the RF and TA muscles was facilitated during MI of movements in which they are active and during MI of lower-limb movements in which they are not involved. On the contrary, corticospinal excitability of the BF and SOL muscles was not facilitated by MI of lower-limb movements. These results suggest that facilitation of corticospinal excitability depends on the muscle and the type of lower-limb MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Ishikawa
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Naotsugu Kaneko
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Atsushi Sasaki
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1611 NW 12th Ave, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Kimitaka Nakazawa
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan.
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Hirabayashi R, Edama M, Takeda M, Yamada Y, Yokota H, Sekine C, Onishi H. Participant attention on the intervention target during repetitive passive movement improved spinal reciprocal inhibition enhancement and joint movement function. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:428. [PMID: 37828546 PMCID: PMC10571356 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01418-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the participant's attention target during repetitive passive movement (RPM) intervention on reciprocal inhibition (RI) and joint movement function. Twenty healthy adults participated in two experiments involving four attention conditions [control (forward attention with no RPM), forward attention (during RPM), monitor attention (monitor counting task during RPM), ankle joint attention (ankle movement counting task during RPM)] during 10-min RPM interventions on the ankle joint. Counting tasks were included to ensure the participant's attention remained on the target during the intervention. In Experiment 1, RI was measured before, immediately after, and 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 min after the RPM intervention. In Experiment 2, we evaluated ankle joint movement function at the same time points before and after RPM intervention. The maximum ankle dorsiflexion movement (from 30° plantar flexion to 10° dorsiflexion) was measured, reflecting RI. In Experiment 1, the RI function reciprocal Ia inhibition was enhanced for 10 min after RPM under all attention conditions (excluding the control condition. D1 inhibition was enhanced for 20 min after RPM in the forward and monitor attention conditions and 30 min after RPM in the ankle joint attention condition. In Experiment 2, the joint movement function decreased under the forward and monitor attention conditions but improved under the ankle joint attention condition. This study is the first to demonstrate that the participant's attention target affected the intervention effect of the RI enhancement method, which has implications for improving the intervention effect of rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Hirabayashi
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-ku, , Niigata-shi, Niigata, 950-3198, Japan.
| | - Mutsuaki Edama
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-ku, , Niigata-shi, Niigata, 950-3198, Japan
| | - Mai Takeda
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-ku, , Niigata-shi, Niigata, 950-3198, Japan
| | - Yuki Yamada
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-ku, , Niigata-shi, Niigata, 950-3198, Japan
| | - Hirotake Yokota
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-ku, , Niigata-shi, Niigata, 950-3198, Japan
| | - Chie Sekine
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-ku, , Niigata-shi, Niigata, 950-3198, Japan
| | - Hideaki Onishi
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-ku, , Niigata-shi, Niigata, 950-3198, Japan
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Zhang L, Chen L, Wang Z, Zhang X, Liu X, Ming D. Enhancing Visual-Guided Motor Imagery Performance via Sensory Threshold Somatosensory Electrical Stimulation Training. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2023; 70:756-765. [PMID: 36037456 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2022.3202189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Motor imagery (MI) based brain- computer interface (BCI) has been widely studied as an effective way to enhance motor learning and promote motor recovery. However, the accuracy of MI-BCI heavily depends on whether subjects can perform MI tasks correctly, which largely limits the general application of MI-BCI. To overcome this limitation, a training strategy based on the combination of MI and sensory threshold somatosensory electrical stimulation (MI+st-SES) is proposed in this study. METHODS Thirty healthy subjects were recruited and randomly divided into SES group and control group. Both groups performed left-hand and right-hand MI tasks in three consecutive blocks. The main difference between two groups lies in the second block, where subjects in SES group received the st-SES during MI tasks whereas the control group performed MI tasks only. RESULTS The results showed that the SES group had a significant improvement in event-related desynchronization (ERD) of alpha rhythm after the training session of MI+st-SES (left-hand: F(2,27) = 9.98, p<0.01; right-hand: F(2, 27) = 10.43, p<0.01). The classification accuracy between left- and right-hand MI in the SES group was also significantly improved following MI+st-SES training (F(2,27) = 6.46, p<0.01). In contrary, there was no significant difference between the first and third blocks in the control group (F(2,27) = 0.18, p = 0.84). The functional connectivity based on weighted pairwise phase consistency (wPPC) over the sensorimotor area also showed an increase after the MI+st-SES training. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE Our findings indicate that training based on MI+st-SES is a promising way to foster MI performance and assist subjects in achieving efficient BCI control.
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Eon P, Grosprêtre S, Martin A. Can motor imagery balance the acute fatigue induced by neuromuscular electrical stimulation? Eur J Appl Physiol 2023. [PMID: 36622447 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-022-05129-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The combination of motor imagery (MI) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can increase the corticospinal excitability suggesting that such association could be efficient in motor performance improvement. However, differential effect has been reported at spinal level after MI and NMES alone. The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effect on motor performance and spinal excitability following MI, NMES and combining MI and NMES. METHODS Ten participants were enrolled in three experimental sessions of MI, NMES and MI + NMES targeting plantar flexor muscles. Each session underwent 60 imagined, evoked (20% MVC) or imagined and evoked contractions simultaneously. Before, immediately after and 10 min after each session, maximal M-wave and H-reflex were evoked by electrical nerve stimulation applied at rest and during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). RESULTS The MVC decreased significantly between PRE-POST (- 12.14 ± 6.12%) and PRE-POST 10 (- 8.1 ± 6.35%) for NMES session, while this decrease was significant only between PRE-POST 10 (- 7.16 ± 11.25%) for the MI + NMES session. No significant modulation of the MVC was observed after MI session. The ratio Hmax/Mmax was reduced immediately after NMES session only. CONCLUSION The combination of MI to NMES seems to delay the onset of neuromuscular fatigue compared to NMES alone. This delay onset of neuromuscular fatigue was associated with specific modulation of the spinal excitability. These results suggested that MI could compensate the neuromuscular fatigue induced acutely by NMES until 10 min after the combination of both modalities.
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Yamaguchi A, Sasaki A, Popovic MR, Milosevic M, Nakazawa K. Low-level voluntary input enhances corticospinal excitability during ankle dorsiflexion neuromuscular electrical stimulation in healthy young adults. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282671. [PMID: 36888637 PMCID: PMC10045604 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous evidence indicated that interventions with combined neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and voluntary muscle contractions could have superior effects on corticospinal excitability when the produced total force is larger than each single intervention. However, it is unclear whether the superior effects exist when the produced force is matched between the interventions. Ten able-bodied individuals performed three intervention sessions on separate days: (i) NMES-tibialis anterior (TA) stimulation; (ii) NMES+VOL-TA stimulation combined with voluntary ankle dorsiflexion; (iii) VOL-voluntary ankle dorsiflexion. Each intervention was exerted at the same total output of 20% of maximal force and applied intermittently (5 s ON / 19 s OFF) for 16 min. Motor evoked potentials (MEP) of the right TA and soleus muscles and maximum motor response (Mmax) of the common peroneal nerve were assessed: before, during, and for 30 min after each intervention. Additionally, the ankle dorsiflexion force-matching task was evaluated before and after each intervention. Consequently, the TA MEP/Mmax during NMES+VOL and VOL sessions were significantly facilitated immediately after the interventions started until the interventions were over. Compared to NMES, larger facilitation was observed during NMES+VOL and VOL sessions, but no difference was found between them. Motor control was not affected by any interventions. Although superior combined effects were not shown compared to voluntary contractions alone, low-level voluntary contractions combined with NMES resulted in facilitated corticospinal excitability compared to NMES alone. This suggests that the voluntary drive could improve the effects of NMES even during low-level contractions, even if motor control is not affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Yamaguchi
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguroku, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine I, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
| | - Atsushi Sasaki
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguroku, Tokyo, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Chiyodaku, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Milos R. Popovic
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute—University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- CRANIA, University Health Network & University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matija Milosevic
- Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kimitaka Nakazawa
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguroku, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Insausti-Delgado A, López-Larraz E, Nishimura Y, Ziemann U, Ramos-Murguialday A. Non-invasive brain-spine interface: Continuous control of trans-spinal magnetic stimulation using EEG. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:975037. [PMID: 36394044 PMCID: PMC9659618 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.975037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-controlled neuromodulation has emerged as a promising tool to promote functional recovery in patients with motor disorders. Brain-machine interfaces exploit this neuromodulatory strategy and could be used for restoring voluntary control of lower limbs. In this work, we propose a non-invasive brain-spine interface (BSI) that processes electroencephalographic (EEG) activity to volitionally control trans-spinal magnetic stimulation (ts-MS), as an approach for lower-limb neurorehabilitation. This novel platform allows to contingently connect motor cortical activation during leg motor imagery with the activation of leg muscles via ts-MS. We tested this closed-loop system in 10 healthy participants using different stimulation conditions. This BSI efficiently removed stimulation artifacts from EEG regardless of ts-MS intensity used, allowing continuous monitoring of cortical activity and real-time closed-loop control of ts-MS. Our BSI induced afferent and efferent evoked responses, being this activation ts-MS intensity-dependent. We demonstrated the feasibility, safety and usability of this non-invasive BSI. The presented system represents a novel non-invasive means of brain-controlled neuromodulation and opens the door towards its integration as a therapeutic tool for lower-limb rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainhoa Insausti-Delgado
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
- TECNALIA, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Eduardo López-Larraz
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Bitbrain, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Yukio Nishimura
- Neural Prosthetics Project, Department of Brain and Neuroscience, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ulf Ziemann
- Department of Neurology and Stroke, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ander Ramos-Murguialday
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- TECNALIA, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
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Kaneko N, Sasaki A, Yokoyama H, Masugi Y, Nakazawa K. Changes in corticospinal and spinal reflex excitability through functional electrical stimulation with and without observation and imagination of walking. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:994138. [PMID: 36237950 PMCID: PMC9552297 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.994138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional electrical stimulation (FES), a method for inducing muscle contraction, has been successfully used in gait rehabilitation for patients with deficits after neurological disorders and several clinical studies have found that it can improve gait function after stroke and spinal cord injury. However, FES gait training is not suitable for patients with walking difficulty, such as those with severe motor paralysis of the lower limbs. We have previously shown that action observation combined with motor imagery (AO + MI) of walking induces walking-related cortical activity. Therefore, we combined FES, which alternately generates dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, with AO + MI as an alternative to gait training. The present study investigates the transient effects of 20-min of FES simultaneously with and without AO + MI of walking on corticospinal and spinal reflex excitability in able-bodied participants. We measured motor evoked potentials and Hoffmann-reflexes to assess corticospinal and spinal reflex excitability at rest before and after the 20-min FES with and without the AO + MI. Our results show that FES without AO + MI did not change excitability (p > 0.05), while FES with AO + MI facilitated corticospinal excitability (p < 0.05). This facilitation likely occurred due to the synchronization of sensory inputs from FES and cortical activity during AO + MI. Facilitation was observed only in the dorsiflexor but not the plantar flexor muscle (p < 0.05), suggesting muscle specificity of the facilitation. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of combining FES with AO + MI and pave the way for novel neurorehabilitation strategies for patients with neurological gait deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naotsugu Kaneko
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Sasaki
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Mechanical Science and Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hikaru Yokoyama
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yohei Masugi
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- School of Health Sciences, Tokyo International University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kimitaka Nakazawa
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Kimitaka Nakazawa,
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Kim MG, Lim H, Lee HS, Han IJ, Ku J, Kang YJ. Brain-computer interface-based action observation combined with peripheral electrical stimulation enhances corticospinal excitability in healthy subjects and stroke patients. J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 35675795 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac76e0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Objective.Action observation (AO) combined with brain-computer interface (BCI) technology enhances cortical activation. Peripheral electrical stimulation (PES) increases corticospinal excitability, thereby activating brain plasticity. To maximize motor recovery, we assessed the effects of BCI-AO combined with PES on corticospinal plasticity.Approach.Seventeen patients with chronic hemiplegic stroke and 17 healthy subjects were recruited. The participants watched a video of repetitive grasping actions with four different tasks for 15 min: (A) AO alone; (B) AO + PES; (C) BCI-AO + continuous PES; and (D) BCI-AO + triggered PES. PES was applied at the ulnar nerve of the wrist. The tasks were performed in a random order at least three days apart. We assessed the latency and amplitude of motor evoked potentials (MEPs). We examined changes in MEP parameters pre-and post-exercise across the four tasks in the first dorsal interosseous muscle of the dominant hand (healthy subjects) and affected hand (stroke patients).Main results.The decrease in MEP latency and increase in MEP amplitude after the four tasks were significant in both groups. The increase in MEP amplitude was sustained for 20 min after tasks B, C, and D in both groups. The increase in MEP amplitude was significant between tasks A vs. B, B vs. C, and C vs. D. The estimated mean difference in MEP amplitude post-exercise was the highest for A and D in both groups.Significance.The results indicate that BCI-AO combined with PES is superior to AO alone or AO + PES for facilitating corticospinal plasticity in both healthy subjects and patients with stroke. Furthermore, this study supports the idea that synchronized activation of cortical and peripheral networks can enhance neuroplasticity after stroke. We suggest that the BCI-AO paradigm and PES could provide a novel neurorehabilitation strategy for patients with stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Gyu Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nowon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunmi Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Sun Lee
- Biostatistics Collaboration Unit, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - In Jun Han
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nowon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeonghun Ku
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn Joo Kang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nowon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Kaneko N, Sasaki A, Yokoyama H, Masugi Y, Nakazawa K. Effects of action observation and motor imagery of walking on the corticospinal and spinal motoneuron excitability and motor imagery ability in healthy participants. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266000. [PMID: 35436303 PMCID: PMC9015126 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Action observation (AO) and motor imagery (MI) are used for the rehabilitation of patients who face difficulty walking. Rehabilitation involving AO, MI, and AO combined with MI (AO+MI) facilitates gait recovery after neurological disorders. However, the mechanism by which it positively affects gait function is unclear. We previously examined the neural mechanisms underlying AO and MI of walking, focusing on AO+MI and corticospinal and spinal motor neuron excitability, which play important roles in gait function. Herein, we investigated the effects of a short intervention using AO+MI of walking on the corticospinal and spinal motor neuron excitability and MI ability of participants. Twelve healthy individuals participated in this study, which consisted of a 20 min intervention. Before the experiment, we measured MI ability using the Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire-2 (VMIQ-2). We used motor evoked potential and F-wave measurements to evaluate the corticospinal and spinal motor neuron excitability at rest, pre-intervention, 0 min, and 15 min post-intervention. We also measured corticospinal excitability during MI of walking and the participant’s ability to perform MI using a visual analog scale (VAS). There were no significant changes in corticospinal and spinal motor neuron excitability during and after the intervention using AO+MI (p>0.05). The intervention temporarily increased VAS scores, thus indicating clearer MI (p<0.05); however, it did not influence corticospinal excitability during MI of walking (p>0.05). Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between the VMIQ-2 and VAS scores and changes in corticospinal and spinal motor neuron excitability. Therefore, one short intervention using AO+MI increased MI ability in healthy individuals; however, it was insufficient to induce plastic changes at the cortical and spinal levels. Moreover, the effects of intervention using AO+MI were not associated with MI ability. Our findings provide information about intervention using AO+MI in healthy individuals and might be helpful in planning neurorehabilitation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naotsugu Kaneko
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Sasaki
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hikaru Yokoyama
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yohei Masugi
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- School of Health Sciences, Tokyo International University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kimitaka Nakazawa
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Asao A, Wada K, Nomura T, Shibuya K. Time course changes in corticospinal excitability during repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation combined with motor imagery. Neurosci Lett 2021; 771:136427. [PMID: 34971770 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) induces proprioceptive afferents and facilitates corticospinal excitability. Short-term sessions of rPMS combined with motor imagery (MI) enhance corticospinal excitability more than rPMS alone. However, it is not clear how long the intervention of rPMS combined with MI would be needed to facilitate corticospinal excitability. Therefore, we investigated the time course change in corticospinal excitability during the combination of rPMS and MI. Thirteen healthy volunteers participated in a 20-min intervention under the following three experimental conditions on different days: rPMS, MI, and rPMS combined with MI (rPMS + MI). In the rPMS and rPMS + MI, the participants were delivered rPMS, which was 25 Hz, 2 s/train at 1.5 × of the train intensity induced muscle contractions, through the wrist extensor muscles. In the MI and rPMS + MI, the participants repeatedly imagined wrist movements for 2 s. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded from the extensor carpi radialis (ECR) and flexor carpi radialis (FCR) muscles every 5 min for each condition. The MEP amplitudes of the ECR after > 10 min of intermittent rPMS combined with MI were greater than baseline. The MEP amplitude of the ECR in rPMS + MI was greater than that in rPMS condition after 20 min of intervention. The present results suggest that over 10 min of intermittent rPMS combined with MI facilitates corticospinal excitability, and that the effect of rPMS combined with MI on corticospinal excitability might be greater than that of rPMS alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Asao
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.
| | - Kento Wada
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Tomonori Nomura
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kenichi Shibuya
- Department of Health and Nutrition, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
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Asao A, Hoshino Y, Nomura T, Shibuya K. Effect of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation combined with motor imagery on the corticospinal excitability of antagonist muscles. Neuroreport 2021; 32:894-8. [PMID: 34029290 DOI: 10.1097/WNR.0000000000001673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) combined with motor imagery facilitates the corticospinal excitability of the agonist muscles. However, the effects of rPMS combined with motor imagery on the corticospinal excitability of the antagonist muscles are unclear. This is an important aspect for applying rPMS in neurorehabilitation for sensorimotor dysfunction. Therefore, we investigated the real-time changes of corticospinal excitability of antagonist muscles during rPMS combined with motor imagery. METHODS Fourteen healthy volunteers underwent four different experimental conditions: rest, rPMS, motor imagery, and rPMS combined with motor imagery (rPMS + motor imagery). In the rPMS and rPMS + motor imagery conditions, rPMS (25 Hz, 1600 ms/train, 1.5× of the motor threshold) was delivered to the dorsal side of the forearm. In motor imagery and rPMS + motor imagery, the participant imagined wrist extension movements. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was delivered to record motor-evoked potentials of the antagonist muscle during experimental interventions. RESULTS The motor-evoked potential (normalized by rest condition) values indicated no difference between rPMS, motor imagery, and rPMS + motor imagery. CONCLUSION These results suggest that rPMS combined with motor imagery has no effect on the corticospinal excitability of the antagonist muscles and highlight the importance of investigating the effects of rPMS combined with motor imagery at the spinal level.
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Nakayama H, Kawakami M, Takahashi Y, Kondo K, Shimizu E. The changes in spinal reciprocal inhibition during motor imagery in lower extremity. Neurol Sci 2021; 42:3813-3820. [PMID: 33464412 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05054-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Motor imagery (MI) is known to improve motor function through enhancement of motor cortex activity. Spinal reciprocal inhibition (RI) is modulated by motor cortex activity, and, therefore, MI may change RI. The aim of this study was to examine the changes in RI during MI involving the lower extremity. Spinal RI was measured from the tibialis anterior (TA) to the soleus (SOL). Eleven healthy adults participated in experiment 1. All participants performed the following three conditions, and RI was assessed during each condition: (1) resting condition; (2) MI of ankle dorsiflexion condition (MI-DF); and (3) MI of ankle plantarflexion condition (MI-PF). Twelve healthy adults participated in experiment 2. All participants performed the following two conditions, and RI was assessed before and after MI practice for 10 min: (1) resting condition and (2) MI-DF. The interval between the conditioning and test stimulus (inter-stimulus interval; ISI) was set at 0, 1, 2, or 3 ms and 20 ms. In experiment 1, RI during MI-PF was significantly decreased compared with that during resting with both stimulus intervals. RI during MI-DF showed no significant change compared with that during resting with both ISIs. In experiment 2, the difference between the rest condition and the MI-DF condition after the MI task with ISI of 20 ms was significantly higher than before the MI task. Our findings suggest that real-time changes in RI during MI involving the lower extremity may vary depending on the direction of motion and MI practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideto Nakayama
- Yatsu Hoken Hospital, 4-6-16 Yatsu, Narashino-shi, Chiba, 275-0026, Japan.,Tokyo Bay Rehabilitation Hospital, 4-1-1 Yatsu, Narashino-shi, Chiba, 275-0026, Japan.,Department of Cognitive Behavioral Physiology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Chuo-ku, inohana, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Michiyuki Kawakami
- Tokyo Bay Rehabilitation Hospital, 4-1-1 Yatsu, Narashino-shi, Chiba, 275-0026, Japan. .,Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan.
| | - Yoko Takahashi
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyou-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Kunitsugu Kondo
- Tokyo Bay Rehabilitation Hospital, 4-1-1 Yatsu, Narashino-shi, Chiba, 275-0026, Japan
| | - Eiji Shimizu
- Department of Cognitive Behavioral Physiology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Chuo-ku, inohana, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
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Milosevic M, Marquez-Chin C, Masani K, Hirata M, Nomura T, Popovic MR, Nakazawa K. Why brain-controlled neuroprosthetics matter: mechanisms underlying electrical stimulation of muscles and nerves in rehabilitation. Biomed Eng Online 2020; 19:81. [PMID: 33148270 PMCID: PMC7641791 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-020-00824-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Delivering short trains of electric pulses to the muscles and nerves can elicit action potentials resulting in muscle contractions. When the stimulations are sequenced to generate functional movements, such as grasping or walking, the application is referred to as functional electrical stimulation (FES). Implications of the motor and sensory recruitment of muscles using FES go beyond simple contraction of muscles. Evidence suggests that FES can induce short- and long-term neurophysiological changes in the central nervous system by varying the stimulation parameters and delivery methods. By taking advantage of this, FES has been used to restore voluntary movement in individuals with neurological injuries with a technique called FES therapy (FEST). However, long-lasting cortical re-organization (neuroplasticity) depends on the ability to synchronize the descending (voluntary) commands and the successful execution of the intended task using a FES. Brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies offer a way to synchronize cortical commands and movements generated by FES, which can be advantageous for inducing neuroplasticity. Therefore, the aim of this review paper is to discuss the neurophysiological mechanisms of electrical stimulation of muscles and nerves and how BCI-controlled FES can be used in rehabilitation to improve motor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matija Milosevic
- Graduate School of Engineering Science, Department of Mechanical Science and Bioengineering, Osaka University, 1-3 Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-8531, Japan.
| | - Cesar Marquez-Chin
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - University Health Network, 520 Sutherland Drive, Toronto, ON, M4G 3V9, Canada
- CRANIA, University Health Network & University of Toronto, 550 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 2A2, Canada
| | - Kei Masani
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - University Health Network, 520 Sutherland Drive, Toronto, ON, M4G 3V9, Canada
- CRANIA, University Health Network & University of Toronto, 550 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 2A2, Canada
| | - Masayuki Hirata
- Department of Neurological Diagnosis and Restoration, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Taishin Nomura
- Graduate School of Engineering Science, Department of Mechanical Science and Bioengineering, Osaka University, 1-3 Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-8531, Japan
| | - Milos R Popovic
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - University Health Network, 520 Sutherland Drive, Toronto, ON, M4G 3V9, Canada
- CRANIA, University Health Network & University of Toronto, 550 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 2A2, Canada
| | - Kimitaka Nakazawa
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan
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Abstract
Afferent somatosensory information plays a crucial role in modulating efferent motor output. A better understanding of this sensorimotor interplay may inform the design of neurorehabilitation interfaces. Current neurotechnological approaches that address motor restoration after trauma or stroke combine motor imagery (MI) and contingent somatosensory feedback, e.g., via peripheral stimulation, to induce corticospinal reorganization. These interventions may, however, change the motor output already at the spinal level dependent on alterations of the afferent input. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) was combined with measurements of wrist deflection using a kinematic glove during either MI or rest. We investigated 360 NMES bursts to the right forearm of 12 healthy subjects at two frequencies (30 and 100 Hz) in random order. For each frequency, stimulation was assessed at nine intensities. Measuring the induced wrist deflection across different intensities allowed us to estimate the input-output curve (IOC) of the spinal motor output. MI decreased the slope of the IOC independent of the stimulation frequency. NMES with 100 Hz vs. 30 Hz decreased the threshold of the IOC. Human-machine interfaces for neurorehabilitation that combine MI and NMES need to consider bidirectional communication and may utilize the gain modulation of spinal circuitries by applying low-intensity, high-frequency stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Guggenberger
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, Department of Neurosurgery and Neurotechnology, University of Tüebingen, Tüebingen, Germany
| | - Valerio Raco
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, Department of Neurosurgery and Neurotechnology, University of Tüebingen, Tüebingen, Germany
| | - Alireza Gharabaghi
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, Department of Neurosurgery and Neurotechnology, University of Tüebingen, Tüebingen, Germany
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GROSPRÊTRE SIDNEY, PAPAXANTHIS CHARALAMBOS, MARTIN ALAIN. Corticospinal Modulations during Motor Imagery of Concentric, Eccentric, and Isometric Actions. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2019; 52:1031-1040. [DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000002218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Carson RG, Buick AR. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation-promoted plasticity of the human brain. J Physiol 2019; 599:2375-2399. [PMID: 31495924 DOI: 10.1113/jp278298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to paretic limbs has demonstrated utility for motor rehabilitation following brain injury. When NMES is delivered to a mixed peripheral nerve, typically both efferent and afferent fibres are recruited. Muscle contractions brought about by the excitation of motor neurons are often used to compensate for disability by assisting actions such as the formation of hand aperture, or by preventing others including foot drop. In this context, exogenous stimulation provides a direct substitute for endogenous neural drive. The goal of the present narrative review is to describe the means through which NMES may also promote sustained adaptations within central motor pathways, leading ultimately to increases in (intrinsic) functional capacity. There is an obvious practical motivation, in that detailed knowledge concerning the mechanisms of adaptation has the potential to inform neurorehabilitation practice. In addition, responses to NMES provide a means of studying CNS plasticity at a systems level in humans. We summarize the fundamental aspects of NMES, focusing on the forms that are employed most commonly in clinical and experimental practice. Specific attention is devoted to adjuvant techniques that further promote adaptive responses to NMES thereby offering the prospect of increased therapeutic potential. The emergent theme is that an association with centrally initiated neural activity, whether this is generated in the context of NMES triggered by efferent drive or via indirect methods such as mental imagery, may in some circumstances promote the physiological changes that can be induced through peripheral electrical stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard G Carson
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.,School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK.,School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Alison R Buick
- School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK
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