Related Experiment Videos
Vibro-tactile and auditory balance biofeedback changes muscle activity patterns: Possible implications for
Summary
Examining muscle activity offers a new way to measure balance improvements for individuals with bilateral vestibular loss (BVL). This approach can help assess the effectiveness of balance prostheses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Developing balance prostheses requires effective efficacy measures.
- Current methods focus on vestibular ocular reflexes or balance control.
- Muscle activity analysis presents a potential alternative for evaluating balance prostheses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate muscle activity changes in individuals with bilateral vestibular loss (BVL) during balance tasks.
- To assess the efficacy of vibro-tactile and auditory feedback on balance control in BVL subjects.
- To explore muscle activity as a unified measure for different balance prostheses.
Main Methods:
- Electromyography (EMG) of lower leg, trunk, and upper arm muscles was recorded in 6 BVL subjects and 7 healthy controls (HC).
- Subjects stood with eyes closed on foam, with pelvis and trunk movements measured.
- BVL subjects were assessed without feedback, then trained with vibro-tactile/auditory feedback and re-assessed.
Main Results:
- Feedback significantly reduced pelvis and shoulder sway in BVL subjects to HC levels.
- Changes in background EMG and EMG area amplitudes indicated altered muscle synergies with feedback.
- Muscle synergy modulation correlated with improved sway control.
Conclusions:
- Improved sway in BVL subjects is linked to changes in muscle synergy amplitudes.
- Muscle activity analysis can serve as a viable method to prove the efficacy of various balance prostheses, including implants.