Joint Position Reproduction Research Articles

Proprioception and its relationship with range of motion in hypermobile and normal mobile children.

To investigate differences in proprioception using four proprioceptive tests in children with and without hypermobility. Additionally, it was tested if the results on one proprioceptive test predict the results on the other tests. Of the children (8-11years), 100 were classified as normal mobile (Beighton score 0-4) and 50 as hypermobile (Beighton score 5-9). To test proprioception, in the upper extremity the unilateral and bilateral joint position reproduction tasks were used and for the lower extremity the loaded and unloaded wedges task. No differences were found in any of the proprioception tests between the two groups. Estimating the height of the wedges was easier in the loaded position (mean penalty in standing and sitting position, 4.78 and 6.19, respectively). Recalling the elbow position in the same arm resulted in smaller errors compared to tasks reproducing the position with the contralateral arm. Of the four angles used (110°, 90°, 70°, 50°), the position recall in the 90° angle had the smallest position error (1.8°). Correlations between the proprioception tests were weak (Loaded and Unloaded (r 0. 28); Uni and Bilateral (r 0.39), Upper and Lower extremity not significant). No indication of poorer proprioception was found in children with hypermobile joints compared to their normal mobile peers. Loading gives extra information that leads to fewer errors in the wedges task performed while standing, but this effect is independent of joint mobility. Proprioception test outcomes are dependent on the test used; upper extremity results do not predict lower extremity outcomes or vice versa.

Effects of Pilates Exercise Training on Static Balance and Lower Limbs Proprioception in Adult Females With and Without Flexible Flatfeet.

It is well known that flatfeet are associated with a higher incidence of lower limb injuries in different populations. Thus, we examine how Pilates exercise training affects static balance and ankle and knee proprioception in females with and without flexible flatfeet. Study Design. Case series; Level of evidence. This quasi-experimental study involves 91 healthy 18- to 25-year-old female university students. The Navicular Drop Test was used to diagnose flatfeet. Pilates included core strength, balance, and flexibility exercises for 16 weeks. Static balance was assessed using the sharpened Romberg test and ankle and knee joint proprioception were measured using joint position reproduction tests. The Wilcoxon test indicated within-group pre-post improvements in static balance, and ankle and knee joint proprioception in the Pilates and the healthy control group (P < .05). The between-group comparisons at post-test showed significant differences for joint position reproduction test of the dorsiflexion (P < .05, η2 = 0.10) and the plantarflexion (P < 0.05, η2 = 0.08) in favor of the healthy controls group. Joint proprioception of ankle and knee was positively correlated with increasing static balance in the healthy control group. The results showed that Pilates has the potential to improve static balance, and ankle and knee proprioception. However, it did not improve postural control and proprioception in individuals with flatfeet. Our findings advise combining Pilates with other interventions to develop flexible flatfeet in females. Level I.

Balance Control Deficits are Associated With Diminished Ankle Force Sense, Not Position Sense, in Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability

ObjectivesTo compare balance control and ankle proprioception between athletes with and without chronic ankle instability (CAI). A further objective was to explore the relationship between balance control performance and ankle proprioception in athletes with CAI. DesignCross-sectional study. SettingsSports Rehabilitation Laboratory. ParticipantsEighty-eight recreational athletes (47 CAI and 41 healthy control) were recruited. InterventionsNo applicable. Main Outcome MeasuresBalance control performance was assessed using the sway velocity of the center of the pressure during the one-leg standing tasks. Ankle proprioception, including joint position sense and force sense, were tested using absolute error (AE) associated with joint position reproduction and force reproduction tasks in 4 directions, that is, plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion. ResultsAthletes with CAI performed significantly worse than those without CAI in balance control tasks. In addition, CAI athletes showed significantly worse joint position sense and force sense in all 3 movement directions tested (plantarflexion, inversion, and eversion). Correlation analysis showed that the AE of the plantarflexion force sense was significantly moderately correlated with medial-lateral sway velocity in the one-leg standing with eyes open and closed conditions (r=.372-.403, P=.006-.012), and the AE of inversion force sense was significantly moderately correlated with medial-lateral sway velocity in the one-leg standing with eyes open (r=.345, P=.018) in athletes with CAI, but the joint position sense measures were not (all P>0.05). ConclusionsAthletes with CAI showed significantly impaired balance control performance and diminished ankle proprioception. Deficit in force sense was deemed as a moderate predictor of one-leg standing balance control deficits in athletes with dominant-side injury CAI, whereas ankle position sense may be a small predictor.

A multichannel investigation of proprioceptive accuracy

Proprioceptive accuracy (PAc), i.e., the acuity of perception of the state of different parts of the motor system, shows substantial intraindividual differences, and is often considered a general ability. However, it is questionable whether there is an association between accuracies measured with different tests at different body sites. PAc with respect to both knee and elbow joints (joint position reproduction) and the flexors of the upper arms (weight discrimination) was measured in 87 young healthy individuals with regular physical activity across multiple indices. Expected and perceived performance was also assessed for each behavioral task. Frequentist and Bayesian analysis largely supported the idea that PAc with respect to various parts of the motor system are unrelated. No dominant-subdominant differences for actual performance were found; however, PAc for the dominant and subdominant limb were associated in many cases. Finally, perceived performance was related to expected but not to actual performance for all three proprioceptive modalities. In conclusion, actual accuracy of perception of the actual state of a part (i.e., joint, muscle) of the motor system cannot be generalized to other parts. Perceived accuracy, dominantly shaped by expectations, is independent from actual accuracy.

Joint position sense error in the hip and knee without reference to the joint angle

BACKGROUND: Joint position reproduction measures the angle acuity of reference angle reproduction using an indicator angle. However, reference angles are often not available. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine joint position sense at three different targeted joint angles, which were estimated from the maximum range of motion (maxROM) without a reference angle at each targeted joint angle. METHODS: The maxROM was measured in straight leg raise (SLR) and active knee extension (AKE) positions. In both positions, a targeted joint angle at 75% of the maxROM was assessed first, followed by that at 50% and 25% of the maxROM. A one-sample t-test was used to analyze differences between the targeted and reproduced angles in both positions. RESULTS: All reproduced angles significantly differed from the targeted angle in both SLR and AKE positions except for the reproduced angle measured at 75% maxROM. Overall, position errors in the AKE position were higher than those in the SLR position. CONCLUSIONS: Estimating the angle based on the maxROM without a matched reference angle may lead to significant discrepancies in comparison with the targeted joint angle. In clinical settings, if accurate reproduction of motions is required to improve proprioception, providing a reference angle might be helpful.

Placebo and nocebo interventions impact perceived but not actual proprioceptive accuracy.

Changes in performance caused by positive and negative expectations (i.e., placebo and nocebo responses) were found to play an important role in many aspects of motor performance. This study aimed to test the impact of placebo/nocebo responses and the assumed moderating role of dispositional optimism and anxiety on proprioceptive accuracy, an essential aspect of motor functions. 78 undergraduate university students completed questionnaires assessing dispositional optimism, state anxiety, and motivation to cooperate, then were randomly assigned to three experimental groups. A sham subliminal electric stimulation was applied with claimed positive (placebo group, n = 26), negative (nocebo group, n = 26) or neutral (control group, n = 26) impact on proprioceptive accuracy. Proprioceptive accuracy was measured with active and passive versions of the Joint Position Reproduction task before and after the intervention. Expected and perceived changes in performance were also assessed; changes in state anxiety, optimism, and motivation to cooperate were used as control variables (covariates). Mixed analyses of variance indicated that the experimental manipulation did not affect actual proprioceptive accuracy but impacted expected and perceived performance. Adding the covariates to the models did not substantially change the results. Further, no significant association emerged between actual and perceived change in performance in the active test, and only a weak correlation was found in the passive test. Expected performance did not predict actual performance but predicted perceived performance in both tasks. The results suggest that only perceived (subjective) aspects of proprioceptive accuracy are susceptible to placebo and nocebo interventions.

Effect of a Sensorimotor Training on Pain, Proprioception, and Functional Activities in Participants with Chronic Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, debilitating condition that significantly impairs functional health status among affected individuals. Key challenges associated with chronic knee OA include persistent pain, diminished functional capabilities, and compromised balance. These factors highlight the critical need for effective intervention strategies. Recent research suggests that sensorimotor training may play a pivotal role in addressing these issues. However, there remains a gap in the literature regarding the specific effects of sensorimotor training on pain perception, proprioception, and overall functional levels in this population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically investigate the impact of sensorimotor training on pain, proprioceptive abilities, and functional performance in individuals with chronic knee OA. Methods: Total 66 patients with chronic knee OA were divided into two equal groups. The control group received a traditional exercise programme and the experimental group received sensorimotor training in addition to traditional exercises. Blind assessment was conducted at the beginning of the study and after 4 weeks of training to measure pain by NPRS, proprioception acuity by passive – active joint position reproduction method, and functional disability by TUG &amp; KOOS scale. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 23. Data were presented as mean, standard deviation (SD) and mean difference. Within groups compare we used Paired t test and between groups compare we used Independent t test with post data comparison in SPSS. The significance level was set at (p&lt;0.05). Result: For experimental group and control group statistical significant (p&lt;0.05) improvements were recorded in all measured parameters. Mean difference of KOOS in control group is 5.97% and experimental group is 17.63% and in mean difference of pain in control group is 2.33 and experimental group is 3.88 which shows that SMT is very effective than traditional exercise only. According to MCID of all outcomes, pain, KOSS and TUG test is clinically significant. The sensorimotor group produced significantly better improvement than the traditional group. Conclusion: Sensorimotor training along with traditional exercises is more effective then only traditional exercises for patients with chronic knee OA. The addition of sensorimotor training to traditional strengthening and stretching exercises could provide more motor control and help neuromuscular restoration of balance and subsequently improve the functional level of chronic knee OA subjects.

Joint position sense error in the hip and knee without reference to the joint angle.

Joint position reproduction measures the angle acuity of reference angle reproduction using an indicator angle. However, reference angles are often not available. This study aimed to examine joint position sense at three different targeted joint angles, which were estimated from the maximum range of motion (maxROM) without a reference angle at each targeted joint angle. The maxROM was measured in straight leg raise (SLR) and active knee extension (AKE) positions. In both positions, a targeted joint angle at 75% of the maxROM was assessed first, followed by that at 50% and 25% of the maxROM. A one-sample t-test was used to analyze differences between the targeted and reproduced angles in both positions. All reproduced angles significantly differed from the targeted angle in both SLR and AKE positions except for the reproduced angle measured at 75% maxROM. Overall, position errors in the AKE position were higher than those in the SLR position. Estimating the angle based on the maxROM without a matched reference angle may lead to significant discrepancies in comparison with the targeted joint angle. In clinical settings, if accurate reproduction of motions is required to improve proprioception, providing a reference angle might be helpful.

Test-retest reliability of joint position sense in the elbow among healthy adults

BackgroundProprioception of the elbow is necessary for daily activities. Proprioception can be impaired with injury or pathology, and rehabilitation efforts seek to improve proprioception for improved upper extremity functioning. In clinical practice, joint position sense (JPS) testing is often utilized to assess conscious proprioception; however, varying methods exist with little evidence of psychometric properties, especially for the elbow. PurposeThe primary aim of this study was to create a standardized elbow JPS test protocol using goniometry measurement to determine the most reliable testing position. The secondary aim was to determine if the elbow JPS test had acceptable test-retest reliability in healthy adults. Study DesignThis was a cross-sectional study using a convenience sample of healthy adults. MethodsThree elbow positions (45°, 60°, and 75° of elbow flexion) were measured twice on the same day by a single rater using a universal goniometer. We calculated the absolute error in degrees between each position and reposition and the intraclass correlation coefficient (3,1) for relative reliability. We also calculated the standard error of the measurement and visually inspected Bland-Altman plots for absolute reliability. ResultsSixty-eight healthy adults (mean age 27.9 years, standard deviation 8.59) were assessed. The mean absolute error for all positions for test and retest was 5.7°. The intraclass correlation coefficients were moderate to good (0.57-0.75), and the standard error of the measurement was 2° (rounded) for all positions. The limits of agreement were moderately narrow, and the Bland-Altman plots showed a random distribution of errors for each position, indicating clinically acceptable measurement error. ConclusionsThe joint position reproduction test for JPS using goniometry demonstrated moderate to good test-retest reliability and acceptable measurement error in healthy adults. The elbow joint angle of 60° flexion was the most reliable for JPS testing, providing insight for JPS assessment in clinical practice.

Test-retest reliability of joint position sense in the carpometacarpal joint among healthy adults

BackgroundAccurate proprioception in the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint is necessary during activities such as performing fine manipulative tasks, such as coin handling, opening doors, using keys, and pressing control buttons. PurposeThe primary aim of the present study was to examine the test-retest reliability of CMC joint position sense (JPS) in healthy subjects. The secondary aim was to determine the most reliable JPS testing position for the thumb CMC joint. Study DesignThis was a cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of healthy adults. MethodsThree thumb positions (20°, 30°, and 40° of thumb abduction) were measured twice on the same day by a single rater using a universal goniometer. The absolute error in degrees between each position and reposition was calculated. The intraclass correlation coefficient (2,1) was calculated for relative reliability. The standard error of the measurement was calculated. ResultsSixty-four healthy adults (mean age 27.8 years, standard deviation = 8.7) were assessed. The intraclass correlation coefficients were poor (−0.08 to 0.22), and the standard error of the measurement was 1.4° for all positions. ConclusionsThe joint position reproduction test for JPS using goniometry demonstrated poor test-retest reliability and acceptable measurement error in healthy adults.

Do exercise therapies restore the deficits of joint position sense in patients with chronic ankle instability? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To determine whether existing exercise therapies can restore the joint position sense (JPS) deficits of patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) when compared with controlled non-training patients. Seven databases were searched using ankle, injury, proprioception, and exercise-therapy-related terms. Peer-reviewed human studies in English that used the absolute errors score of joint position reproduction (JPR) test to compare the JPS of injured ankles in CAI patients before and after exercise therapy and non-training controls were included and analyzed. Demographic information, sample size, description of exercise therapies, methodological details of the JPR test, and absolute error scores were extracted by two researchers independently. Meta-analysis of the differences in JPS changes (i.e., absolute errors after treatment minus the baseline) between the exercise therapies and non-training controls was performed with the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Seven studies were finally included. Meta-analyses revealed significantly higher improvements in passive JPS during inversion with, WMD​=​-1.54° and eversion, of, WMD​=​-1.80°, after exercise therapies when compared with non-training controls. However, no significant changes in the impaired side active JPS were observed with regard to inversion and eversion. Existing exercise therapies may have a positive effect on passive JPS during inversion and eversion, but do not restore the active JPS deficits of injured ankles in patients with CAI when compared with non-training controls. Updated exercise components with a longer duration that focus on active JPS with longer duration are needed to supplement the existing content of exercise therapies.

Correlation analysis of national elite Chinese male table tennis players' shoulder proprioception and muscle strength.

BACKGROUNDShoulder is the most injured part in table tennis players, and it takes multiple roles in transmitting power and striking the center of the ball during the stroke. Proprioception is strongly correlated with high level of athletic performance. It is customary to assume that there is a correlation between proprioception and muscle strength and therefore proprioceptive assessment and rehabilitation is often neglected.AIMTo investigate the correlation between isokinetic muscle strength and proprioception in the internal and external rotation muscle groups of elite Chinese male table tennis players, to provide reference for physical training and rehabilitation of elite table tennis players.METHODSA total of 19 national elite table tennis players from the Chinese National Table Tennis Team were recruited in this research. All of them had more than 10 years training experience and had participated major competitions such as the National Games and World Youth Championships. IsoMed 2000 was used to test the peak torque of internal and external rotation isokinetic concentric contraction of the athletes' bilateral shoulder joints at low speed (60°/s) and high speed (180°/s) respectively; IsoMed 2000 was used to conduct the Joint Position Reproduction test to evaluate the athletes' proprioceptive ability capacity at low speed (60°/s) and high speed (180°/s) respectively. If the data satisfied the normal distribution, the correlation between the differences in peak torque s and angles in different directions was analyzed using a Pearson simple linear model; otherwise, Spearman correlation analysis was used. The comparison of proprioceptive ability between the table tennis racket-holding hand and non-racket-holding hands was performed using independent samples t-test if the data satisfied a normal distribution; otherwise, the Mann-Whitney U test was used.RESULTSThere was no direct linear correlation between the strength and proprioceptive correlation analysis at slow speed (60°/s) and fast speed (180°/s) in the racket-holding hand; At the slow speed (60°/s) and fast speed (180°/s), there was no correlation between muscle strength and proprioception in the non-racket-holding hand except for the internal rotation variable error (VE) and external rotation relative peak torque, which showed a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.477, P < 0.05), (r = 0.554, P < 0.05). The internal rotation’s constant error (CE) and VE were 1.06 ± 3.99 and 2.94 ± 2.16, respectively, for the racket-holding hand, and -3.36 ± 2.39 and 1.22 ± 0.93, respectively, for the non-racket-holding hand; the internal rotation’s CE, VE of the racket-holding hand was lower than that of the non-racket-holding hand, and there was a highly significant difference (P < 0.01).CONCLUSIONThere was no correlation between muscle strength and proprioceptive function in the internal and external rotation of the racket-holding hand’s shoulder in elite Chinese male table tennis players. These results may be useful for interventions for shoulder injuries and for the inclusion of proprioceptive training in rehabilitation programs.

The Efficacy of Lumbar Support on Pain, Disability, and Motor Control in Women With Postpartum Pelvic Girdle Pain: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundPregnancy-related posterior pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) is one of the most important clinical manifestations of postpartum back pain. Those affected often complain of discomfort during daily activities. It is hypothesized that altered motor control is associated with perceived pain. Pelvic support can regulate possible underlying altered motor control mechanisms and decrease pain. However, the influence of a lumbosacral orthosis, which is broader support that allows for a wider contact area and more skin sensory stimulation to restore proper motor function, has not yet been investigated in women with postpartum PPGP.ObjectiveThis study investigates the efficacy of broader lumbar support and narrower pelvic support on pain, proprioception, disability, and muscle strength in women with pregnancy-related PPGP.MethodsThis study will be a single-center, 3-armed, participant-blinded, randomized controlled trial. In total, 84 women diagnosed with pregnancy-related PPGP will be recruited and randomly assigned into 3 groups. Intervention groups A and B will receive pelvic and lumbar supports, respectively. Group C (control) will receive only a patient education leaflet containing advice on strengthening exercises, comfortable positions, and other practical information. The study outcomes are pain, effort score during the active straight leg raising test, maximum isometric hip flexion force, maximum isometric hip external rotation force, maximum isometric trunk rotation force, and joint position reproduction of hip abduction. The study outcomes will be measured at 4 time points: baseline (T1), immediately after the intervention (T2), 4 weeks following interventions began (at this time, the intervention period is completed) (T3), and 1 week after discontinuing the interventions (T4) to evaluate the possible lasting effects of wearing supports. Multivariate analysis of variance will be used to test between- and within-group differences.ResultsRecruitment for this study will be started in summer 2022 and is expected to be completed by the end of fall 2022.ConclusionsThis study will examine the efficacy of broader lumbar support as an early rehabilitative treatment for women receiving postpartum posterior pelvic pain support compared to those receiving a narrower pelvic support. We expect the broader lumbar support to impact pain management and disability better than the current narrower pelvic belt. Long-term follow-up studies will help determine whether such lumbosacral orthosis reduces pain and improves daily activities in women with pregnancy-related PPGP.Trial RegistrationIranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20150210021034N11; https://www.irct.ir/trial/54808International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/40553

Thumb Proprioception in Hypermobile and Non-Hypermobile Adults: An Observational Study

Aims and Background&#x0D; Hypermobility is a common presentation in the community and is reported related to higher rates of injury and musculoskeletal pain, however the mechanism underpinning this relationship remains unclear. Poor proprioception in hypermobile joints has been proposed as a potential mechanism. This study aims to determine if there is a difference in proprioceptive acuity, as measured by joint position reproduction, in adults with generalised joint hypermobility.&#x0D; Design and methods&#x0D; A convenience sample of 26 university students and staff (mean age 29.23 years, range 18-47) were recruited, of which 12 participants displayed generalised joint hypermobility, and 14 did not. A laser light, mounted to the dominant thumb, was used to test joint position reproduction sense by pointing to targets using a unilateral active-active position reproduction protocol.&#x0D; Results/Findings&#x0D; Test reliability across a range of targets was poor to good (intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.1163 to 0.7256), indicating significant variability between participants. No significant differences was found in absolute angle of error between generalised joint hypermobility and non-generalised joint hypermobility participants. For direction of error in relation to the proprioceptive targets, only 30° thumb extension above horizontal was found to be significantly different between the hypermobile and non-hypermobile groups, with hypermobile participants tending to underestimate distance to target. Age and sex were not correlated to thumb proprioception.&#x0D; Application and Conclusion&#x0D; The difference found in direction of error and tendency to underestimate angular distance may be protective against straying into possibly injurious end-ranges; however, larger studies are recommended to confirm this.

Future Challenges in the Assessment of Proprioception in Exercise Sciences: Is Imitation an Alternative?

Future Challenges in the Assessment of Proprioception in Exercise Sciences: Is Imitation an Alternative?

Cardiac and Proprioceptive Accuracy Are Not Related to Body Awareness, Perceived Body Competence, and Affect.

Interoception in the broader sense refers to the perception of internal states, including the perception of the actual state of the internal organs (visceroception) and the motor system (proprioception). Dimensions of interoception include (1) interoceptive accuracy, i.e., the ability to sense internal changes assessed with behavioral tests, (2) confidence rating with respect to perceived performance in an actual behavioral test, and (3) interoceptive sensibility, i.e., the self-reported generalized ability to perceive body changes. The relationship between dimension of cardioceptive and proprioceptive modalities and their association with affect are scarcely studied. In the present study, undergraduate students (N = 105, 53 males, age: 21.0 ± 1.87 years) filled out questionnaires assessing positive and negative affect (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), interoceptive sensibility (Body Awareness Questionnaire), and body competence (Body Competence Scale of the Body Consciousness Questionnaire). Following this, they completed a behavioral task assessing cardioceptive accuracy (the mental heartbeat tracking task by Schandry) and two tasks assessing proprioceptive accuracy with respect to the tension of arm flexor muscles (weight discrimination task) and the angular position of the elbow joint (joint position reproduction task). Confidence ratings were measured with visual analog scales after the tasks. With the exception of a weak association between cardioceptive accuracy and the respective confidence rating, no associations between and within modalities were found with respect to various dimensions of interoception. Further, the interoceptive dimensions were not associated with state and trait positive and negative affect and perceived body competence. In summary, interoceptive accuracy scores do not substantially contribute to conscious representations of cardioceptive and proprioceptive ability. Within our data, non-pathological affective states (PANAS) are not associated with the major dimensions of interoception for the cardiac and proprioceptive modalities.

Wrist proprioceptive acuity is linked to fine motor function in children undergoing piano training.

Playing the piano involves rapid and precise upper limb movements, which require seamless integration of the proprioceptive and motor systems. In this study, we comprehensively assessed active and passive proprioception and different domains of motor function in young pianists, aiming to understand how their proprioceptive and motor functions are improved. Fifty-seven participants, including seventeen 11- to 12-yr-old (young) pianists, 20 children, and 20 adults, were included. The children in the pianist group had received piano training for 6 yr, whereas the children and adults in the control groups had no previous experience with instrumental training. All participants performed a psychophysical discrimination threshold hunting task and an ipsilateral joint position reproduction task, both of which measured the position sense acuity of the wrist. Their motor function was evaluated by the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd edition. The results revealed that the young pianists showed a significantly lower position sense discrimination threshold (31%) and fewer joint position reproduction errors (49%) than the nontrained children. Second, a higher level of manual dexterity, but not of ball skills or balance, was found in the young pianist group. Third, a higher proprioceptive acuity (i.e., decreased position sense discrimination threshold) significantly correlated with higher manual dexterity. This study documents that a high wrist position sense is a common characteristic among young pianists. The increased upper limb position sense acuity is correlated with better manual dexterity, suggesting that piano practice may benefit untrained fine motor skills in children.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We document that improved proprioceptive acuity is a common feature in young pianists. This proprioceptive improvement is associated with both proprioceptive processing and proprioceptive-motor integration. Higher wrist proprioceptive acuity in young pianists is linked to enhanced manual dexterity, which suggests that intensive piano training may improve untrained fine motor skills.

Effects of Combining High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation with Short-Foot Exercise on Chronic Ankle Instability: A Pilot Randomized and Double-Blinded Study

(1) Background: Balance decline is highly prevalent in people suffering from chronic ankle instability (CAI). The control of balance depends upon multiple neurophysiologic systems including the activation of cortical brain regions (e.g., the primary sensorimotor cortex). The excitability of this region, however, is diminished in people with CAI. In this pilot double-blinded randomized controlled trial, we tested the effects of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) designed to facilitate the excitability of M1 and S1 in combination with short-foot exercise (SFE) training on proprioception and dynamic balance performance in individuals with CAI. (2) Methods: Thirty young adults completed baseline assessments including the Active Movement Extent Discrimination Apparatus (AMEDA), Joint Position Reproduction (JPR) test, Y-balance test, and the Sensory Organization Test (SOT). They were then randomized to receive a four-week intervention of SFE in combination with tDCS (i.e., HD-tDCS+SFE) or sham (i.e., control) stimulation. Baseline assessments were repeated once-weekly throughout the intervention and during a two-week follow-up period. (3) Results: Twenty-eight participants completed this study. Blinding procedures were successful and no adverse events were reported. As compared to the control group, the HD-tDCS+SFE group exhibited significant improvements in the JPR test, the Y balance test, and the SOT at different time points. No group by time interaction was observed in AMEDA test performance. (4) Conclusions: HD-tDCS combined with SFE may improve dynamic balance and proprioception in CAI. Larger, more definitive trials with extended follow-up are warranted.

Short-term retention of proprioceptive information.

The Joint Position Reproduction test (JPR), one of the most widely used measurements to estimate proprioceptive accuracy, requires the short term storage of proprioceptive information. It has been suggested that visuospatial sketchpad plays a fundamental role in the memorization of proprioceptive information. The current study aimed to investigate this assumption. To do so, we developed and used a novel JPR protocol to measure the retention capacity with respect to sequences of different positions. Our goal was to develop the original task further to make it comparable with other widely used short-term memory measurements, in which the memory capacity was determined by the number of the items participants retain (memory span). We compared participants’ (N=39) performance in this task to that of results of Corsi block-tapping task (capacity of the visuospatial sketchpad) and Digit span task (capacity of the phonological loop). Proprioceptive memory capacity did not correlate either with spatial or verbal memory capacity. The exploratory analysis revealed that proprioceptive span correlated positively with the performance if 5 joint positions had to be retained. Further associations with verbal span for 6 or 7 positions, and spatial span for 5 positions were found. Our findings do not support the idea that visuospatial sketchpad plays a fundamental role in the storage of proprioceptive information. The independence of span measures indicates that proprioceptive information might be stored in a subsystem independent of the visuospatial sketchpad or phonological loop.

Is Thumb Proprioception Decreased in Patients With Trapeziometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis?

Proprioception is thought to be essential for normal joint homeostasis, and its decreased function has been associated with an increased risk of joint diseases. However, only a few studies have been performed on the association between proprioceptive function in the trapeziometacarpal joint (TMCJ) and osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to compare TMCJ proprioceptive function in elderly women with radiographic TMCJ osteoarthritis relative to age-matched control women without osteoarthritis. We enrolled 19 women (mean age, 66 years) with symptomatic, radiographic Eaton and Littler grade 2, 3, and 4 TMCJ osteoarthritis and 19 age-matched control women without osteoarthritis. We evaluated thumb proprioception by using a joint-position reproduction test and compared the reposition error (RE) between the groups. We carried out a multivariate analysis for factors potentially associated with increased RE, such as age, body mass index, hand dominance, the presence of diabetes, pain level, and the presence of osteoarthritis. Also, a logistic regression analysis was performed for factors associated with the occurrence of TMCJ osteoarthritis. Patients with TMCJ osteoarthritis had greater RE than did the control patients in the joint-position reproduction test at 20°, 30°, and 40° of thumb palmar abduction. The multivariate analysis indicated that increased RE was associated with the presence of osteoarthritis, but not with the other factors assessed. The occurrence of TMCJ osteoarthritis was associated with increased RE at 20°, 30°, and 40° of thumb palmar abduction. This study showed that decreased proprioceptive function was associated with the presence of osteoarthritis in the TMCJ, although the causality remains unknown. Further studies on the role of proprioception in the pathogenesis of TMCJ osteoarthritis and the potential role of its training for disease prevention or treatment are required.