Experimentally Modifiable Parameters and Their Relation to the Tonic Vibration Reflex in Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke

James A. Beauchamp*, Jacqueline R. Patterson, C. J. Heckman, Julius P.A. Dewald

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The tonic vibration reflex (TVR), a reflexive muscle contraction resulting from muscle or tendon vibration, is a useful tool in assessing spinal motoneuron excitability, particularly in hyperexcitable conditions, such as in chronic hemiparetic stroke. The influence of experimental parameters, for example the type of vibratory stimulus and limb configuration, and their interactions on the TVR response in chronic stroke is unknown, yet this knowledge is crucial for designing experiments with reliable TVR responses. Therefore, we conducted a screening experiment of six potential driving factors affecting the TVR response, with a D-optimal split plot fractional design matrix consisting of thirty-two combinations for each of the four participants with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Our results suggest that pre-vibration muscle activation level, vibration frequency, and stimulus application force, are all significant contributors to the TVR response in chronic hemiparetic stroke, along with an interaction between elbow flexion angle and muscle activity level. This investigation highlights the sensitivity of the TVR response in chronic hemiparetic stroke and motivates future designed experiments in understanding this reflex as it relates to motoneuron excitability.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2019 41st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2019
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages2302-2306
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9781538613115
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2019
Event41st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2019 - Berlin, Germany
Duration: Jul 23 2019Jul 27 2019

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBS
ISSN (Print)1557-170X

Conference

Conference41st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2019
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityBerlin
Period7/23/197/27/19

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Signal Processing
  • Health Informatics
  • Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
  • Biomedical Engineering

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