Integrative function of proprioceptive system in the acute effects of whole body vibration on the movement performance in young adults

BackgroundThe proprioceptive system coordinates locomotion, but its role in short-term integration and recovery of motor activity in imbalance of motor patterns and body remains debated. The aim of this study is investigating the functional role of proprioceptive system in motor patterns and body balance in healthy young adults.Methods70 participants (aged 20.1 ± 0.3) were divided into experimental groups EG1 (n = 30), EG2 (n = 30), control group (CG, n = 10). EG1 performed single WBV session on Power Plate (7 exercises adapted to Functional Movement Screen (FMS). EG2 performed single session of FMS Exercises (FMSE). CG didn't perform any physical activity. All participants performed pre- and post-session of FMS and stabilometric measurements.ResultsFMS total score in EG1 increased by 2.0 ± 0.2 (p0 < 0.001), this was significantly differed (p0 < 0.001) from EG2 and CG. Acute effects of WBV and FMSE on rate of change and standard deviation (SD) of pressure center (COP) were shown in all groups during Static Test (p0 < 0.01). SD increased (p0 < 0.01) in Given Setting Test in EG1 and EG2, and in Romberg Test (p0 < 0.001) in EG1. Length, width and area (p0 < 0.01) of confidence ellipse, containing 95% of the statokinesiogram points, decreased in Static Test in EG1; width and area (p0 < 0.01) decreased in EG2 group. Significant (p0 < 0.01) decrease in Given Setting Test was in EG1, and significant (p0 < 0.01) increase was in Romberg Test (open eyes) in CG. Maximum amplitude of COP oscillations: significantly (p0 < 0.01) decreasing along X and Y axes in EG1 and EG2, and along Y axis in CG during Static Test; along Y axis (p0 < 0.01) in all groups during Given Setting Test. Significant differences were identified (p0 < 0.01) in calculated energy consumption for COP moving during all stabilometric tests. However, inter-group differences in COP after acute WBV and FMSE sessions have not been identified.ConclusionsAcute WBV session eliminates the deficits in motor patterns which is not the case after acute FMSE session, which, according to our integrative movement tuning hypothesis, is due to high activation of integrative function of proprioceptive system. Efficacy of WBV and FMSE on COP performance indicates a high sensitivity of postural control to different levels of proprioceptive system activity

Neurophysiology of motor imagery in neurorehabilitation and BCI technologies

Over the last few decades, motor imagery was in the focus of the researchers' attention as a prototypical example of "embodied cognition", and as a basis for neuro-rehabilitation and braincomputer interfaces. This review reveals the concept of motor imagery, the factors characterizing and influencing this process, its neural correlates, and the possibilities for using in neurorehabilitation and braincomputer interfaces. The article explains some discrepancies and variability in findings from previous studies, that will help to optimize a study design in accordance with the purpose of each study in the future

Proprioception in Immersive Virtual Reality

Currently, in connection with the advent of virtual reality (VR) technologies, methods that recreate sensory sensations are rapidly developing. Under the conditions of VR, which is an immersive environment, a variety of multimodal sensory experiences can be obtained. It is urgent to create explicit immersive environments that allow maximizing the full potential of VR technology. Activation of the proprioceptive sensory system, coupled with the activation of the visual analyzer system, allows you to achieve sensations of interaction with VR objects, identical to the sensations of the real physical world. Today, the activation of proprioceptive sensations is achieved using various devices, including robotic ones, which are not available for use in routine medical practice. The immersive multisensory environment makes it possible to significantly personalize the rehabilitation process, ensuring its continuity and effectiveness at various stages of the pathological process and varying degrees of severity of physical disorders, while significantly reducing the burden on the healthcare system by automating the rehabilitation process and objectively assessing the effectiveness. Further development and increased availability of VR technologies and devices that allow achieving an increase in immersion due to sensory immersion will be in great demand as a technology that allows teaching patients motor skills

Non-invasive EEG-based BCI spellers from the beginning to today: a mini-review

The defeat of the central motor neuron leads to the motor disorders. Patients lose the ability to control voluntary muscles, for example, of the upper limbs, which introduces a fundamental dissonance in the possibility of daily use of a computer or smartphone. As a result, the patients lose the ability to communicate with other people. The article presents the most popular paradigms used in the brain-computer-interface speller system and designed for typing by people with severe forms of the movement disorders. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have emerged as a promising technology for individuals with communication impairments. BCI-spellers are systems that enable users to spell words by selecting letters on a computer screen using their brain activity. There are three main types of BCI-spellers: P300, motor imagery (MI), and steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP). However, each type has its own limitations, which has led to the development of hybrid BCI-spellers that combine the strengths of multiple types. Hybrid BCI-spellers can improve accuracy and reduce the training period required for users to become proficient. Overall, hybrid BCI-spellers have the potential to improve communication for individuals with impairments by combining the strengths of multiple types of BCI-spellers. In conclusion, BCI-spellers are a promising technology for individuals with communication impairments. P300, MI, and SSVEP are the three main types of BCI-spellers, each with their own advantages and limitations. Further research is needed to improve the accuracy and usability of BCI-spellers and to explore their potential applications in other areas such as gaming and virtual reality

Specifity of complex sensory-motor reaction to relevant stimuli in personalized virtual reality in young people

Objectives to evaluate the latent period of complex sensory-motor reaction (СSMR) to relevant visual stimuli in virtual reality (VR) with personalized and indifferent content. Material and methods.The study included 10 healthy right-handed males aged 1819. The selection of subjects in groups was based on two VR scenarios, the content of which reflected (personalized VR) or did not reflect their personal experience (indifferent VR). The latent period of СSMR to relevant visual stimuli was registered using a gamepad and an EEG recording system (BP-010302 BrainAmp Standart 128) in the oddball paradigm. VR scenarios were demonstrated using Oculus Rift CV1 headset. Registration of СSMR in personalized and indifferent VRs was done in three sessions with the interval of 24 hours. Each session lasted 78 minutes and included 3040 СSMR registrations. Igroup Presence Questionnaire (IPQ) was used for subjective evaluation of VR immersiveness. The collected data was processed with IBM SPSS Statistics 22 software. Results.Statistically significant correlations were registered only in VR with personalized content, between the latent time of СSMR and indexes of spatial presence (0.694522) and a general effect of VR immersiveness (-0.592243). It was noted that latent period of СSMR to relevant visual stimuli in VR is determined by the semantic content: the time of СSMR to relevant stimuli in personalized VR was significantly less, than to those in indifferent VR. Conclusion.We support the adequacy of the methodology of studying the mechanisms of human voluntary attention with inclusion of personalized scenes in VR content. It is suggested that such methodology is promising for neurorehabilitation of patients with age-related cognitive impairmen

Экспериментальные способы изучения нейрофизиологических особенностей киберспортсменов (обзор)

Электронные виды спорта, имеющие соревновательный характер, объединены в направление, называемое киберспортом. Соревновательная деятельность в киберспорте способствует формированию когнитивных навыков, развитию абстрактного мышления, памяти, пространственного мышления и способности ориентироваться в условиях дефицита времени в виртуальном пространстве. В связи с этим перспективным является изучение нейрофизиологических механизмов, обеспечивающих реализацию и регуляцию физиологических процессов в ходе занятий электронными видами спорта. Согласно классификации Л.П. Матвеева (2017), киберспорт относится к пятой группе видов спортивной деятельности, которая характеризуется абстрактно-логическим обыгрыванием при сниженной двигательной активности. Компьютерные игры стимулируют развитие когнитивных функций, таких как время реакции, скорость принятия решений, внимание, координация рук и др., что невольно наводит исследователей на мысль о сходстве психоэмоциональных и психофизиологических параметров киберспортсменов и спортсменов, занимающихся другими видами спорта. Однако следует отметить, что нейрофизиологические механизмы этих процессов у киберспортсменов практически не исследовались. Поскольку основой данных механизмов является деятельность центральной нервной системы, представляется интересным рассмотреть особенности биоэлектрической активности больших полушарий мозга киберспортсменов во взаимосвязи с особенностями их когнитивного стиля. Представленная обзорная статья составлялась при использовании электронных библиотек PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar и ряда отечественных научных баз данных путем введения следующих поисковых запросов: «видеоигры», «игровая зависимость», «киберспорт», «когнитивные функции», «нейрофизиологические особенности киберспортсменов», «методы нейрофизиологического исследования в киберспорте», «неинвазивные методы исследования». На основе проведенного анализа литературных источников были выделены методы, позволяющие оценить функциональное состояние головного мозга в процессе обработки сенсорных сигналов, физиологические изменения функционирования высшей нервной деятельности, установить пиковую амплитуду мышечного усилия посредством интеграции сигнала. Перечислены методы, которые демонстрируют спорные результаты, поскольку не дают возможности установить механизмы функционирования нервной системы. Также отмечены перспективные методы, позволяющие считывать активность мозга путем применения инфракрасного света