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Related Concept Videos

Relaxation of Skeletal Muscles01:29

Relaxation of Skeletal Muscles

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The period of muscle contraction primarily influences the duration of stimulation at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the presence of free calcium ions in the sarcoplasm, and the availability of energy or ATP to support contractions.
When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it depolarizes the membrane and opens voltage-gated sodium channels. Sodium ions enter the cell, further depolarizing the presynaptic membrane. This depolarization causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open....
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Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants01:28

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Skeletal muscle relaxants are a group of drugs that can reduce muscle stiffness and induce temporary paralysis to relieve pain. These agents can act centrally to reduce muscle tone or spasms in painful conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or spinal injuries; they are called antispasmodics or spasmolytics.
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...
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Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses01:31

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses

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Skeletal muscle relaxants are used to relax muscle tone and alleviate painful muscle contractions. However, the choice of skeletal muscle relaxants depends on the duration of the surgical procedure in order to minimize potential side effects. Skeletal muscle relaxants like neuromuscular blocking agents [NMBAs] are commonly employed as adjuvants alongside general anesthetics in clinical settings. NMBAs are also used to maintain controlled ventilation during surgery of the larynx or pharynx...
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Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects01:21

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects

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Skeletal muscle relaxants are widely used for muscle paralysis and relieving pain following any muscle injury or stiffness. However, depending on the drug type, they can have adverse effects that range from mild to severe. Usually, nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers have minimal side effects. For example, drugs like d-tubocurarine, cisatracurium, and rocuronium cause hypotension, whereas drugs like baclofen, when stopped abruptly, can lead to the recurrence of spastic conditions.
Unlike...
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Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses01:24

Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses

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Centrally acting muscle relaxants reduce muscle tone and tension by interfering with the postsynaptic reflexes in the central nervous system.
Centrally acting drugs are classified into spasmolytic and antispasmodic drugs. Spasmolytic drugs such as baclofen, diazepam, and tizanidine inhibit spinal motor neurons and decrease muscle tone. Spasmolytic drugs are administered for severe and chronic spasms due to multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, and spinal cord and muscle injuries. However,...
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Directly Acting Muscle Relaxants: Dantrolene and Botulinum Toxin01:26

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Directly acting muscle relaxants like dantrolene and botulinum toxin (BoNT) have distinct mechanisms and applications. Dantrolene, a hydantoin derivative, acts on the ryanodine receptor (RYR1) in skeletal muscle cells. RYR1 are calcium channels present at the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane. In response to excitation, they release calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum to the cytosol. Calcium promotes actin-myosin-mediated contraction of muscles.
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Related Experiment Video

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Dosage-Adjusted Resistance Training in Mice with a Reduced Risk of Muscle Damage
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Baseline levels in muscle relaxation training.

R A Kinsman, H Staudenmayer

    Biofeedback and Self-Regulation
    |March 1, 1978
    PubMed
    Summary

    Baseline physiological variations impact self-control research. Higher initial muscle activity levels showed greater relaxation, but uncorrected, this can skew study results and conclusions.

    Area of Science:

    • Psychophysiology
    • Behavioral Medicine
    • Neuroscience

    Background:

    • Variations in baseline physiological measures are a common challenge in psychophysiological research.
    • These baseline differences can significantly impact the interpretation of results in clinical applications and self-regulation studies.
    • Specifically, skeletal muscle relaxation training using electromyography (EMG) biofeedback is susceptible to these variations.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To illustrate the problem of baseline physiological variations in the context of skeletal muscle relaxation training.
    • To investigate the influence of pretraining baseline EMG levels on training outcomes.
    • To highlight the potential for baseline differences to lead to discrepant research findings and conflicting conclusions.

    Main Methods:

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    • Utilized continuous biofeedback (BF) based on surface electromyographic (EMG) activity for skeletal muscle relaxation training.
    • Examined the relationship between pretraining baseline EMG levels and the magnitude of EMG decrease during training, referencing the Law of Initial Values (LIV).
    • Analyzed data from two studies to identify and quantify the LIV-like effect and its impact on results.

    Main Results:

    • Two studies demonstrated an LIV-like effect, where higher pretraining EMG baselines were associated with greater EMG decreases after relaxation training.
    • Failure to correct for these baseline differences can lead to discrepant results between identical studies.
    • This discrepancy can result in conflicting conclusions regarding the efficacy of biofeedback relaxation procedures.

    Conclusions:

    • Baseline physiological differences, particularly in EMG levels, can bias the interpretation of biofeedback training outcomes.
    • An LIV-like effect was observed, suggesting higher initial muscle activity leads to greater apparent relaxation.
    • Methods for correcting baseline differences, such as analysis of covariance, are crucial for accurate research conclusions in psychophysiology.