| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3043528 | Clinical Neurophysiology | 2013 | 8 Pages |
ObjectiveIndividual muscle activation patterns may be controlled by motor modules constructed by the central nervous system to simplify motor control. This study compared modular control of gait between persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and neurologically-healthy older adults (HOA) and investigated relationships between modular organization and gait parameters in persons with PD.MethodsFifteen persons with idiopathic PD and fourteen HOA participated. Electromyographic recordings were made from eight leg muscles bilaterally while participants walked at their preferred walking speed for 10 min on an instrumented treadmill. Non-negative matrix factorization techniques decomposed the electromyographic signals, identifying the number and nature of modules accounting for 95% of variability in muscle activations during treadmill walking.ResultsGenerally, fewer modules were required to reconstruct muscle activation patterns during treadmill walking in PD compared to HOA (p < .05). Control of knee flexor and ankle plantar flexor musculature was simplified in PD. Activation timing was altered in PD while muscle weightings were unaffected. Simplified neuromuscular control was related to decreased walking speed in PD.ConclusionNeuromuscular control of gait is simplified in PD and may contribute to gait deficits in this population.SignificanceFuture studies of locomotor rehabilitation in PD should consider neuromuscular complexity to maximize intervention effectiveness.
► Persons with Parkinson’s disease required fewer motor modules than did healthy older adults to reconstruct 95% of the variability in the physiological processed EMG signals during treadmill walking. ► Compared to healthy older adults, activation profiles were altered in persons with Parkinson’s disease while muscle weighting vectors were unchanged. ► These patterns of simplified neuromuscular control complexity were associated with decreased gait performance in persons with Parkinson’s disease.
