MRI Compatible Lumbopelvic Movement Measurement System to Validate and Capture Task Performance During Neuroimaging.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is linked to brain structural and functional changes affecting sensorimotor control.
• Assessing trunk and hip movement during task-based neuroimaging for CLBP is challenging due to equipment limitations.
• Developing accurate, MRI-compatible tools is crucial for understanding brain-movement interactions in CLBP.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an MRI-safe pressure measurement system for capturing trunk and hip movement during neuroimaging.
• To assess the concurrent validity of digital and analog pressure sensors within the system.
• To enhance the ability to study sensorimotor control deficits in conditions like chronic low back pain.

Main Methods:

• An MRI-safe pressure system with digital differential pressure sensors and analog pressure gauges was developed.
• System components measured trunk (lower back) and hip (under knees) pressure changes during hip bridge tasks.
• Concurrent validity was examined by comparing digital and analog sensor data in 23 participants using Spearman's correlations and Bland-Altman plots.

Main Results:

• High positive correlations (Spearman's) were found between digital and analog sensors across all hip bridge tasks (>87% explained pressure change).
• Bland-Altman analysis indicated no significant bias, with mean differences under 3 mmHg.
• The results confirm the concurrent validity of the pressure measurement system.

Conclusions:

• The developed MRI-safe pressure system accurately captures lumbopelvic movement patterns during neuroimaging.
• This validated system enhances the rigor of future research investigating sensorimotor control in conditions like chronic low back pain.
• The technology facilitates a better understanding of brain-movement relationships during functional tasks within an MRI environment.