Poster Session
Activation Pattern of Skeletal Muscles for Specific Hand Skills: EMG Analysis of Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
Location
Memorial Ballroom, Hall Campus Center
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Entry Number
20
Start Date
4-10-2019 12:00 PM
End Date
4-10-2019 1:15 PM
College
Lynchburg College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Biology
Abstract
Cerebral palsy (CP) affects an individual’s motor functions including motor control over body movement, motor coordination, muscle tone, motor reflexes, body posture, and balance. Ataxic CP (ACP) is defined as the inability to control voluntary bodily movements and occurs in 5-10% of all CP patients. ACP may affect both the upper and lower limbs. When present in the upper limbs, ataxia can cause tremors and an overall shakiness in the arms and hands. In the lower limbs, patients with ACP often walk with their feet placed wider than their hips and experience frequent falls. The objectives of this study were to evaluate how ataxia occurs and how it possibly interferes with the coordination of agonistic/antagonistic muscle groups. We assigned two fine motor tasks to unaffected and affected individuals with ACP and examined muscle activities of extensor digitorum and flexor digitorum using electromyography. We discuss the implication of our experimental results. We hope to contribute to finding what specific muscles or muscle groups physical and occupational therapies can target to improve motor stabilization and coordination of these muscles and to help improve the overall well-being of those with ACP.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Takashi Maie
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Activation Pattern of Skeletal Muscles for Specific Hand Skills: EMG Analysis of Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
Memorial Ballroom, Hall Campus Center
Cerebral palsy (CP) affects an individual’s motor functions including motor control over body movement, motor coordination, muscle tone, motor reflexes, body posture, and balance. Ataxic CP (ACP) is defined as the inability to control voluntary bodily movements and occurs in 5-10% of all CP patients. ACP may affect both the upper and lower limbs. When present in the upper limbs, ataxia can cause tremors and an overall shakiness in the arms and hands. In the lower limbs, patients with ACP often walk with their feet placed wider than their hips and experience frequent falls. The objectives of this study were to evaluate how ataxia occurs and how it possibly interferes with the coordination of agonistic/antagonistic muscle groups. We assigned two fine motor tasks to unaffected and affected individuals with ACP and examined muscle activities of extensor digitorum and flexor digitorum using electromyography. We discuss the implication of our experimental results. We hope to contribute to finding what specific muscles or muscle groups physical and occupational therapies can target to improve motor stabilization and coordination of these muscles and to help improve the overall well-being of those with ACP.