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Brain Sciences
Special Issues
Altered Musculoskeletal Sensory Input and Neuromechanics
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Altered Musculoskeletal Sensory Input and Neuromechanics

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Sensory and Motor Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2024 | Viewed by 1291

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Bernadette Murphy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4, Canada
Interests: sensorimotor integration; neural adaptation and learning; neurophysiology of musculoskeletal treatments; chronic pain processing; neural effects of exercise
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue explores how altered musculoskeletal input impacts neuromechanics and sensorimotor integration. Chronic changes in sensory input may be from musculoskeletal pain or other chronic conditions that change sensory input. Acute changes in sensory input can be induced in laboratory settings via ischemia, fatigue, vibration, experimental pain, etc. Of particular interest is the interaction between these altered sensory inputs and the motor system, as well as how both acute and chronic alterations in neck and trunk inputs impact limb sensorimotor control. Examples of relevant quantitative outcome measures are electroencephalography (EEG), evoked potentials, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), MRI and/or fMRI, electromyography (EMG), and kinematic measures of movement speed and trajectory. Research that alters sensory feedback more centrally using repetitive TMS is also welcome, as is work where different forms of sensory feedback are used as a therapeutic intervention.

We are encouraging you to submit original papers, review articles, case reports and case series, pilot studies, and randomized controlled clinical trials.

Prof. Dr. Bernadette Murphy
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • musculoskeletal disorder
  • sensorimotor integration
  • motor
  • sensory
  • neuromechanics

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1734 KiB  
Article
Vibration-Induced Alteration in Trunk Extensor Muscle Proprioception as a Model for Impaired Trunk Control in Low Back Pain
by John R. Gilliam, Debdyuti Mandal, Peemongkon Wattananon, Sourav Banerjee, Troy M. Herter and Sheri P. Silfies
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(7), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14070657 - 28 Jun 2024
Viewed by 189
Abstract
This study examined the impact of personalizing muscle vibration parameters on trunk control. We assessed how altered trunk extensor muscle (TEM) proprioception affects seated trunk control in healthy controls (HCs). To explore the link between altered TEM proprioception and impaired trunk control in [...] Read more.
This study examined the impact of personalizing muscle vibration parameters on trunk control. We assessed how altered trunk extensor muscle (TEM) proprioception affects seated trunk control in healthy controls (HCs). To explore the link between altered TEM proprioception and impaired trunk control in chronic low back pain (cLBP), we performed equivalence testing between HCs undergoing TEM vibration and cLBP without vibration. Twenty HCs performed active joint reposition error (AJRE) testing to determine personalized vibration parameters. Each participant maintained balance on an unstable chair with eyes open and closed, with and without TEM vibration. We compared trunk control between HCs and twenty age- and sex-matched cLBP participants, using mean velocity and 95% confidence ellipse area of center-of-pressure changes to quantify trunk postural control. Equivalence was examined by comparing mean difference scores to minimal detectable change values and calculating between-group effect sizes. Personalized vibration parameters led to larger lumbopelvic repositioning errors (d = 0.89) than any single vibration frequency (d = 0.31–0.36). In healthy adults with no back pain, vision had large effects on postural control (ηp2 = 0.604–0.842), but TEM vibration had no significant effects (p > 0.105) or interactions with vision (p > 0.423). Between-group effect sizes (d = 0.32–0.51) exceeded our threshold for performance equivalence (d < 0.2). Muscle vibration altered position sense during AJRE testing, and personalizing parameters amplified this effect. However, TEM vibration had minimal impact on seated trunk postural control in adults with no back pain and did not lead to performance degradation comparable to that in cLBP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Altered Musculoskeletal Sensory Input and Neuromechanics)
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19 pages, 964 KiB  
Article
Development of the Sensory–Motor Dysfunction Questionnaire and Pilot Reliability Testing
by Ushani Ambalavanar, Heidi Haavik, Nooshin Khobzi Rotondi and Bernadette Ann Murphy
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(6), 619; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14060619 - 20 Jun 2024
Viewed by 523
Abstract
Both chronic and recurrent spinal pain alter sensorimotor integration (SMI), which is demonstrated using complex neurophysiological techniques. Currently, there is no patient-reported outcome measure that documents and/or assesses SMI in populations with spinal problems. The purpose of this study was to develop the [...] Read more.
Both chronic and recurrent spinal pain alter sensorimotor integration (SMI), which is demonstrated using complex neurophysiological techniques. Currently, there is no patient-reported outcome measure that documents and/or assesses SMI in populations with spinal problems. The purpose of this study was to develop the Sensory–Motor Dysfunction Questionnaire (SMD-Q) and assess its test–retest reliability and internal consistency in individuals with recurrent spinal pain. The SMD-Q was developed based on the existing literature on motor control disturbances associated with disordered SMI. The initial SMD-Q drafts underwent review by two separate panels of subject matter experts and a focus group with subclinical spine pain. Their suggestions were incorporated into the questionnaire prior to reliability testing. The questionnaire was administered twice at a seven-day interval using QualtricsTM. A total of 20 participants (14 females and 6 males; 20.95 ± 2.46 years of age) completed the study. Quadratic weighted kappa (Kw) was used to assess test–retest reliability and Cronbach’s alpha (α) was used to assess internal consistency. Four items had a Kw < 0.40, seven had a 0.40 < Kw < 0.75, and one had a Kw > 0.75 (excellent agreement), with excellent internal consistency (α > 0.90). The pilot SMD-Q appears to reliably measure altered SMI, suggesting that revisions and testing with a larger sample are worth pursuing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Altered Musculoskeletal Sensory Input and Neuromechanics)
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19 pages, 1523 KiB  
Protocol
Investigating Whether a Combination of Electro-Encephalography and Gene Expression Profiling Can Predict the Risk of Chronic Pain: A Protocol for an Observational Prospective Cohort Study
by Ann-Christin Sannes, Usman Ghani, Imran Khan Niazi, Torgeir Moberget, Rune Jonassen, Heidi Haavik and Johannes Gjerstad
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(7), 641; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14070641 - 26 Jun 2024
Viewed by 317
Abstract
Despite most episodes of low back pain (LBP) being short-lasting, some transition into persistent long-lasting problems. Hence, the need for a deeper understanding of the physiological mechanisms of this is pertinent. Therefore, the aims of the present study are (1) to map pain-induced [...] Read more.
Despite most episodes of low back pain (LBP) being short-lasting, some transition into persistent long-lasting problems. Hence, the need for a deeper understanding of the physiological mechanisms of this is pertinent. Therefore, the aims of the present study are (1) to map pain-induced changes in brain activity and blood gene expression associated with persistent LBP, and (2) to explore whether these brain and gene expression signatures show promise as predictive biomarkers for the development of persistent LBP. The participants will be allocated into three different pain groups (no pain, mild short-lasting, or moderate long-term). One in-person visit, where two blood samples will be collected and sent for RNA sequencing, along with resting 64-channel electro-encephalography measurements before, during, and after a cold pressor test, will be conducted. Thereafter, follow-up questionnaires will be distributed at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Recruitment will start during the second quarter of 2024, with expected completion by the last quarter of 2024. The results are expected to provide insight into the relationship between central nervous system activity, gene expression profiles, and LBP. If successful, this study has the potential to provide physiological indicators that are sensitive to the transition from mild, short-term LBP to more problematic, long-term LBP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Altered Musculoskeletal Sensory Input and Neuromechanics)
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