Sensorimotor Characteristics Research Articles

Balance, Landing Biomechanics, and Functional Movement Screen Characteristics With and Without Knee Exoskeleton in Military Soldiers.

A light-weight pneumatic-powered knee exoskeleton could augment mobility and lifting capabilities for a variety of occupational settings. However, added weight/bulkiness and artificially produced knee extension torque could compromise sensorimotor characteristics. Ten healthy participants conducted 3 visits within 10 days to the biomechanics laboratory. Participants were asked to complete the following tasks on each visit: single-leg balance, single-leg drop-landing, and select functional movement tasks. Balance characteristics (the ground reaction forces variability and center-of-pressure velocity) were derived from force plates while knee flexion angles during drop-landing and functional movement tasks were captured using a motion capture system. Descriptive statistics as well as paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare between conditions. Significance was set at P < .05 a priori. During single-leg balance, the ground reaction force variabilities were significantly increased (P = .013-.019) and the center of pressure velocity was decreased (P = .001-.017) when wearing knee exoskeleton. During single-leg drop-landing, the exoskeleton condition showed lower knee flexion angles at the initial contact (P = .004-.021) and peak (P = .006-.010). Additionally, the peak vertical ground reaction force was higher in the exoskeleton condition (P = .007). During functional movement tasks, the exoskeleton condition showed less knee flexion range-of-motion during the overhead squat (P = .007-.033) and hurdle step-over (P = .004-.005). Participants exhibited stiffer landing technique with the exoskeleton. Given that these compromised sensorimotor characteristics have been associated with musculoskeletal injury risk, modifications to exoskeletons to promote softer landing and greater knee flexion range-of-motion during dynamic activities may be warranted.

Does context matter for memory? Testing the effectiveness of learning by imagining situated interactions with objects

ABSTRACT Mounting evidence supports the efficacy of mental imagery for verbal information retention. Motor imagery, imagining oneself interacting physically with the object to be learned, emerges as an optimal form compared to less physically engaging imagery. Yet, when engaging in mental imagery, it occurs within a specific context that may affect imagined actions and consequently impact the mnemonic benefits of mental imagery. In a first study, participants were given instructions for incidental learning: mental rehearsal, visual imagery, motor imagery or situated motor imagery. The latter, which involved imagining physical interaction with an item within a coherent situation, produced the highest proportion of correct recalls. This highlights memory’s role in supporting situated actions and offers the possibility for further developing the mnemonic potential of embodied mental imagery. Furthermore, item-level analysis showed that individuals who engaged in situated motor imagery remembered words primarily due to the sensorimotor characteristics of the words’ referent. A second study investigating the role of inter-item distinctiveness in this effect failed to determine the extent to which the situational and motor elements need to be distinctive in order to be considered useful retrieval cues and produce an optimal memory performance.

Human sensorimotor resting state beta events and aperiodic activity show good test–retest reliability

ObjectiveDiseases affecting sensorimotor function impair physical independence. Reliable functional clinical biomarkers allowing early diagnosis or targeting treatment and rehabilitation could reduce this burden. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) non-invasively measures brain rhythms such as the somatomotor ‘rolandic’ rhythm which shows intermittent high-amplitude beta (14–30 Hz) ‘events’ that predict behavior across tasks and species and are altered by sensorimotor neurological diseases. MethodsWe assessed test–retest stability, a prerequisite for biomarkers, of spontaneous sensorimotor aperiodic (1/f) signal and beta events in 50 healthy human controls across two MEG sessions using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Beta events were determined using an amplitude-thresholding approach on a narrow-band filtered amplitude envelope obtained using Morlet wavelet decomposition. ResultsResting sensorimotor characteristics showed good to excellent test–retest stability. Aperiodic component (ICC 0.77–0.88) and beta event amplitude (ICC 0.74–0.82) were very stable, whereas beta event duration was more variable (ICC 0.55–0.7). 2–3 minute recordings were sufficient to obtain stable results. Analysis automatization was successful in 86%. ConclusionsSensorimotor beta phenotype is a stable feature of an individual’s resting brain activity even for short recordings easily measured in patients. SignificanceSpontaneous sensorimotor beta phenotype has potential as a clinical biomarker of sensorimotor system integrity.

Intrathecal midazolam is a comparable alternative to fentanyl and nalbuphine as adjuvant to bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia for elective Cesarean Section; a randomized controlled double-blind trial

Background: Different adjuvants have been introduced to enhance the quality of local anesthetics and reduce its adverse events. This study was directed to compare the anesthetic and analgesic properties of intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine when three different adjuvant drugs were added.&#x0D; Methodology: One hundred full-term parturients aged 18 to 40 years, scheduled for elective cesarean section, were randomly assigned to 4 groups. Each group received 12.5 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine combined with either 0.5 ml saline (Group-B), 25µg fentanyl (Group-F), 0.8 mg nalbuphine (Group-N) or 2 mg midazolam (Group-M). The outcomes included the postoperative effective analgesia time, the sensorimotor characteristics, postoperative VAS score, pethidine consumption, maternal complications, and neonatal Apgar score.&#x0D; Results: Earlier onset of sensory and motor block was observed in Group F and N than in Group B and M. Duration of postoperative effective analgesia was longer in Groups F, N and M (252.42 ± 46.11, 227.34 ± 36.54 and 243.71 ± 44.95 hours, respectively) than in Group B (172.11 ± 20.99) (P &lt; 0.001). VAS scores decreased in adjuvant groups during the first 12 hours postoperative and required pethidine doses were less.&#x0D; Conclusion: Addition of adjuvant agents to intrathecal bupivacaine improved the quality of subarachnoid block without increasing side-effects. Intrathecal midazolam provided comparable outcomes as the frequently used opioids.&#x0D; Abbreviations: CS: Cesarean section; LA: Local anesthetics; SA: Spinal anesthesia&#x0D; Key words: Intrathecal; Nalbuphine; Midazolam; Fentanyl; Postoperative analgesia; Cesarean section.&#x0D; Citation: Amin SR, Souidan I, Abdelzaam EM. Intrathecal midazolam is a comparable alternative to fentanyl and nalbuphine as adjuvant to bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean section: a randomized controlled double-blind trial. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2022;27(1):89−96; DOI: 10.35975/apic.v27i1.1923&#x0D; Received: June 26, 2022; Reviewed: November 28, 2022; Accepted: December 14, 2022

Effects of neuromuscular and proprioceptive training on self-reported wellness and health scores and knee sensorimotor characteristics in active seniors

IntroductionAthletes regularly engage in comprehensive neuromuscular and proprioceptive training (NPT) to prevent musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries. NPT exercises such as movement technique, agility, balance, and posture as well as yoga-based stretching and slow/deep breathing have shown added benefits in psychological and other well-being. This study aimed to examine the effects of NPT on knee sensorimotor characteristics and multi-domain wellness and health scores in active seniors. MethodsTwenty seniors participated in the NPT intervention (15–20min session twice a week for 10 weeks) while the control group did not receive any intervention. All participants completed surveys (general health, frailty, anxiety, stress, mindfulness, optimism, and sleep quality) and laboratory testing before and after intervention. Laboratory testing included frailty tests (grip strength, 4-m walk speed, and calcaneal ultrasound-based bone density) and knee sensorimotor characteristics (peak force, visual-motor reaction time, and force steadiness). ResultsThere was significant increase in general mental health (Short Form 36 Mental Health; p = 0.005) and decrease in stress (Perceived Stress Scale; p = 0.010) and sleep disturbances (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; p = 0.019) post-intervention while no significant changes were observed in the control group (p = 0.310–0.654). Peak knee forces in all directions and some visual-motor reaction time and force steadiness were significantly improved post-intervention only in the experimental group (p = 0.001–0.038). ConclusionA simple, yet, comprehensive NPT has potential to improve MSK health as well as various domains of well-being among active seniors.

Group differences and associations between patient-reported outcomes and physical characteristics in chronic low back pain patients and healthy controls

BackgroundPatients with chronic low back pain can exhibit altered slower gait, poor balance, and lower strength/power, and psychological dysfunctions such as pain catastrophizing and fear of movement. Few studies have investigated the relationships between physical and psychological dysfunctions. This study examined associations between patient-reported outcomes (pain interference, physical function, central sensitization, and kinesiophobia) and physical characteristics (gait, balance, and trunk sensorimotor characteristics). MethodsLaboratory testing included a 4-m walk, balance, and trunk sensorimotor testing with 18 patients and 15 controls. Gait and balance were collected with inertial measurement units. Isokinetic dynamometry measured trunk sensorimotor characteristics. Patient-reported outcomes included PROMIS Pain Interference / Physical Function, Central Sensitization Inventory, and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. Independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare between groups. Additionally, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rs) established associations between physical and psychological domains, and Fisher z-tests compared correlation coefficient values between groups (significance P < 0.05). FindingsThe patient group had worse tandem balance and all patient-reported outcomes (P < 0.05) while no group differences were observed in gait and trunk sensorimotor characteristics. There were significant correlations between worse central sensitization and poor tandem balance (rs = 0.446–0.619, P < 0.05) and lower peak force and rate of force development (rs = −0.429–0.702, P < 0.05). InterpretationObserved group differences in tandem balance agree with previous studies, indicating impaired proprioception. The current findings provide preliminary evidence that balance and trunk sensorimotor characteristics were significantly associated with patient-reported outcomes in patients. Early and period screening could help clinicians further categorize patients and develop objective treatment plans.

High school female basketball athletes exhibit decreased knee-specific choice visual-motor reaction time.

Weaker hamstrings muscular forces and lower ratio of the hamstrings/quadriceps muscular forces in female athletes have been identified as modifiable risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. However, sex differences in athletes' ability to react to visual cues (Choice Visual-Motor Reaction Time: VMRT) and to generate knee muscular forces (rate of force development: RFD) immediately following the visual cues were largely unknown. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine sex differences in Choice VMRT and RFD. A total of 50 high school basketball athletes (26F/24M) participated in the study. Subjects sat in the knee dynamometer chair with their knee secured at 70° of knee flexion and performed knee extension or flexion maximum voluntary isometric contractions immediately after they saw the visual cue: "UP" or "DOWN" arrows, respectively. Choice VMRT was defined as the time between the visual cue and the initiation of muscular force development (>5Newtons). RFD was calculated by dividing the changes in forces over the changes in time at four time points (0-50/100/150/200ms). Peak muscular forces and RFD were normalized to their body mass. Average of three trials in each direction (flexion and extension) in each leg was used for statistical analyses. Females had significantly slower Choice VMRT (p<0.001-0.027) and lower knee extension RFD at 100ms (p=0.005). In addition, females had significantly higher knee flexion/extension ratio than males in late RFD (150ms and 200ms) (p<0.004). The current study has provided additional sensorimotor characteristics of athletes and sexes in addition to their knee muscular characteristics.

An electroencephalographic examination of the autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR)

Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a perceptual phenomenon characterized by pleasurable tingling sensations in the head and neck, as well as pleasurable feelings of relaxation, that reliably arise while attending to a specific triggering stimulus (e.g., whispering or tapping sounds). Currently, little is known about the neutral substrates underlying these experiences. In this study, 14 participants who experience ASMR, along with 14 control participants, were presented with four video stimuli and four auditory stimuli. Half of these stimuli were designed to elicit ASMR and half were non-ASMR control stimuli. Brain activity was measured using a 32-channel EEG system. The results indicated that ASMR stimuli-particularly auditory stimuli-elicited increased alpha wave activity in participants with self-reported ASMR, but not in matched control participants. Similar increases were also observed in frequency bands associated with movement (gamma waves and sensorimotor rhythm). These results are consistent with the reported phenomenology of ASMR, which involves both attentional and sensorimotor characteristics.

The spinal adjuvent - intrathecal nalbuphine as effective as intrathecal fentanyl

Opioids are favoured as adjuvants to local anaesthetics for spinal anaesthesia. The present study was aimed to compare the clinical efficiency of intrathecal nalbuphine with fentanyl as an adjuvant to 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. 100 adult patients of either sex, ASA grade I and II, aged 18–60 years were randomized into two groups of 50 each to receive either fentanyl 25 μg (Group BF) or nalbuphine 500µg (Group BN) with 3 ml 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine, making drug volume to 3.5 ml in each group. Sensory and motor block characteristics, duration of analgesia, VAS score, haemodynamic and side effects were recorded. The sensorimotor characteristics were comparable and found no significant difference between the two groups, (P&gt;0.05). The time duration for adequate analgesia in group BN was 366.40 ± 37.32min, and in the group, BF was 361.39 ± 43.96min, (P= 0.567). In both, the groups, quality of analgesia during the procedure was excellent in a maximum number of patients (96% each group). Sedation score, hemodynamic and respiratory rate changes were comparable between the two groups. In group BF, 4 (8%) patients complained nausea/ vomiting, pruritus was observed in 2 (4%), intraoperative hypotension in 3 (6%) and bradycardia in 2 (4%) and post-dural puncture headache in 2 patient (4%). In group BN, only bradycardia was observed in 3 (6%) patients. Nalbuphine and fentanyl were found to be equally efficient, but nalbuphine had a lower side effect profile, readily available as it does not come under the Narcotic act. However, we suggest Nalbuphine-bupivacaine combination as a better alternative than fentanyl-bupivacaine combination.

Effects of old age on fatigability and sensorimotor characteristics of a repetitive upper limb fatiguing task.

Objectives1) Determine the effects of old age on sensorimotor responses to a fatiguing work-like task. 2) Explore how old age influences the relationships between task fatigability, everyday perceptions of fatigability, and sensorimotor function.MethodsHealthy young (N = 17, 9W) and older (N = 13, 10W) adults completed the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale to assess everyday perceptions of physical (PF) and mental fatigability and performed a repetitive tapping task to fatigue. Before and after the task, grip strength was assessed using a hand-grip dynamometer and touch-pressure sensitivity was measured (shoulder, hand) using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments.ResultsOlder, but not young adults, had increased touch-pressure sensitivity at the shoulder after fatigue (interaction, p = 0.007). No changes in grip strength were observed (p>0.05). Task fatigability was not different between young and old adults (p>0.05). Having less task fatigability was associated with lower PF, higher grip strength, and higher touch-pressure sensitivity at the hand (ρ = 0.37–0.58, p<0.05), with the hand sensation association also observed in the old adult subgroup (ρ = 0.56, p = 0.046).ConclusionsWith old age, there were fatigue-related alterations to sensory but not physical function. While task fatigability was associated with perceptual, physical, and sensory features, sensory features appear to have a more important role with old age.

Comparative study of efficacy of intrathecal bupivacaine-ketamine with bupivacaine-fentanyl for caesarean section

Background: Various adjuvants have been used with local anaesthetics in spinal anaesthesia for lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) to provide better haemodynamics & prolonged postoperative analgesia. The aim of this study was to compare onset & duration of sensory & motor block with haemodynamic stability of intrathecal ketamine and fentanyl added to Bupivacaine in spinal anaesthesia for two different group of patients posted for LSCS Method: Sixty patients of age between 18-35 years and ASA grade I and II were included and randomly divided in to two groups of 30 each. Group K received injection bupivacaine 10 mg with 10 mg Ketamine and Group F received injection Bupivacaine 10 mg with 12.5 mcg Fentanyl. The sensorimotor characteristics, haemodynamic parameters, neonatal outcome and side effects were noted and compared between two groups. Results: Group K showed higher sensory level (<0.05), rapid sensory (P<0.05) and motor (P<0.05) onsets, prolonged sensory (P<0.05) and motor (P<0.05) blocks as compared to group F.Hyperbaric bupivacaine- Ketamine had better haemodynamic stability and significantly reduced incidence of hypotension (P<0.05) and bradycardia (P<0.05). Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min were comparable in both groups (P = 0.2734 and 0.6731 respectively).Tachycardia was found in 16.66% cases in group K, whereas no patient developed tachycardia in group F. Conclusion: The combination of hyperbaric bupivacaine (0.5%) 10mg with ketamine (10mg) can be used as a safe and effective alternative to hyperbaric bupivacaine (0.5%) 10mg with fentanyl 12.5mcg for spinal anaesthesia in LSCS.

Central and Peripheral Mechanisms in ApoE4-Driven Diabetic Pathology.

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 gene allele and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are prime risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Despite evidence linking T2DM and apoE4, the mechanism underlying their interaction is yet to be determined. In the present study, we employed a model of APOE-targeted replacement mice and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin resistance to investigate diabetic mechanisms associated with apoE4 pathology and the extent to which they are driven by peripheral and central processes. Results obtained revealed an intriguing pattern, in which under basal conditions, apoE4 mice display impaired glucose and insulin tolerance and decreased insulin secretion, as well as cognitive and sensorimotor characteristics relative to apoE3 mice, while the HFD impairs apoE3 mice without significantly affecting apoE4 mice. Measurements of weight and fasting blood glucose levels increased in a time-dependent manner following the HFD, though no effect of genotype was observed. Interestingly, sciatic electrophysiological and skin intra-epidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) peripheral measurements were not affected by the APOE genotype or HFD, suggesting that the observed sensorimotor and cognitive phenotypes are related to central nervous system processes. Indeed, measurements of hippocampal insulin receptor and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) activation revealed a pattern similar to that obtained in the behavioral measurements while Akt activation presented a dominant effect of diet. HFD manipulation induced genotype-independent hyperlipidation of apoE, and reduced levels of brain apoE in apoE3 mice, rendering them similar to apoE4 mice, whose brain apoE levels were not affected by the diet. No such effect was observed in the peripheral plasma levels of apoE, suggesting that the pathological effects of apoE4 under the control diet and apoE3 under HFD conditions are related to the decreased levels of brain apoE. Taken together, our data suggests that diabetic mechanisms play an important role in mediating the pathological effects of apoE4 and that consequently, diabetic-related therapy may be useful in treating apoE4 pathology in AD.

In the driver's seat

Relationships between joint position sense and the sensorimotor characteristics such as joint stiffness, time to detect motion, and time to peak torque during a perturbation test have rarely been investigated due to methodological challenges. The purpose of this study was to compare joint position sense and the sensorimotor characteristics in healthy individuals.A total of 26 subjects were recruited and completed joint position sense and a perturbation test on isokinetic dynamometer. Joint position sense was assessed by comparison of the absolute angle difference between a reference and replicated position. During the perturbation test, the dynamometer moved the knee flexion angle from 70° to 30° (0° represents a full knee extension) at the velocity of 500° per second at random. Subjects were asked to react and pull back the leg as soon as they perceived the movement. Pearson or Spearman's correlation coefficients were used to assess these relationships (P < 0.05).Larger joint position sense absolute error values were significantly correlated with higher short-range at 50 milliseconds (r = 0.572, P = 0.002), at 100 milliseconds (ρ = 0.416, P = 0.035), and reactive joint stiffness (r = 0.395, P = 0.046).There was a paradoxical relationship between higher joint stiffness and worsened joint position sense. Potential reasons include sensory weighting within the sensorimotor system and thixotropic properties (after-effects of muscle eccentric contractions to increase stiffness and alter joint position sense).

Paradoxical relationship in sensorimotor system: Knee joint position sense absolute error and joint stiffness measures

BackgroundRelationships between joint position sense and the sensorimotor characteristics such as joint stiffness, time to detect motion, and time to peak torque during a perturbation test have rarely been investigated due to methodological challenges. The purpose of this study was to compare joint position sense and the sensorimotor characteristics in healthy individuals. MethodsA total of 26 subjects were recruited and completed joint position sense and a perturbation test on isokinetic dynamometer. Joint position sense was assessed by comparison of the absolute angle difference between a reference and replicated position. During the perturbation test, the dynamometer moved the knee flexion angle from 70° to 30° (0° represents a full knee extension) at the velocity of 500° per second at random. Subjects were asked to react and pull back the leg as soon as they perceived the movement. Pearson or Spearman's correlation coefficients were used to assess these relationships (P < 0.05). FindingsLarger joint position sense absolute error values were significantly correlated with higher short-range at 50 milliseconds (r = 0.572, P = 0.002), at 100 milliseconds (ρ = 0.416, P = 0.035), and reactive joint stiffness (r = 0.395, P = 0.046). InterpretationThere was a paradoxical relationship between higher joint stiffness and worsened joint position sense. Potential reasons include sensory weighting within the sensorimotor system and thixotropic properties (after-effects of muscle eccentric contractions to increase stiffness and alter joint position sense).

Sensorimotor characteristics of sign translations modulate EEG when deaf signers read English

Bilingual individuals automatically translate written words from one language to another. While this process is established in spoken-language bilinguals, there is less known about its occurrence in deaf bilinguals who know signed and spoken languages. Since sign language uses motion and space to convey linguistic content, it is possible that action simulation in the brain’s sensorimotor system plays a role in this process. We recorded EEG from deaf participants fluent in ASL as they read individual English words and found significant differences in alpha and beta EEG at central electrode sites during the reading of English words whose ASL translations use two hands, compared to English words whose ASL translations use one hand. Hearing non-signers did not show any differences between conditions. These results demonstrate the involvement of the sensorimotor system in cross-linguistic, cross-modal translation, and suggest that covert action simulation processes are involved when deaf signers read.

Gender differences in sensorimotor characteristics associated with the performance of a manual dexterity task at shoulder height

Women report more neck/shoulder musculoskeletal disorders in association to low-force, dexterous work. However, it is unclear if this may be due to gender differences in sensorimotor patterns while performing such tasks. Twenty-nine asymptomatic adult volunteers (15 men, 14 women) performed a neck/shoulder fatiguing task involving screwing and unscrewing bolts placed at shoulder height until scoring 8 on a Borg CR-10 scale. During the task, performance (bolts/min) was measured, and electromyography (EMG) was recorded at eight neck/shoulder muscle sites to compute Root Mean Square (RMS), Motor Variability and Normalized Mutual Information (NMI). Before and after the task, Purdue pegboard and shoulder joint position sense were measured. Even though muscle fatigue was evidenced by neck/shoulder EMG results, shoulder proprioception was not affected by the fatiguing task while screwing and Purdue pegboard performance actually improved (p < 0.001). Women displayed overall higher RMS and NMI values (e.g. 80% higher UT RMS, 42% higher AD RMS). Thus, although task performance and proprioception did not deteriorate and were not different between genders, gender differences in EMG measures may help understand the sex-specific muscle fatigue mechanisms associated to shoulder height dexterous work, and may help explain the higher rates of neck/shoulder injuries in women.

Digitalization of Human Operations in the Age of Cyber Manufacturing: Sensorimotor Analysis of Manual Grinding Performance

This paper presents new techniques to analyze and understand the sensorimotor characteristics of manual operations such as grinding, and links their influence on process performance. A grinding task, though simple, requires the practitioner to combine elements from the large repertoire of his or her skillset. Based on the joint gaze, force, and velocity data collected from a series of manual grinding experiments, we have compared operators with different levels of experience and quantitatively described characteristics of human manual skill and their effects on manufacturing process parameters such as cutting energy, surface finish, and material removal rate (MRR). For instance, we find that an experienced subject performs the task in a precise manner by moving the tool in complex paths, with lower applied forces and velocities, and short fixations compared to a novice. A detailed understanding of gaze-motor behavior broadens our knowledge of how a manual task is executed. Our results help to provide this extra insight, and impact future efforts in workforce training as well as the digitalization of manual expertise, thereby facilitating the transformation of raw data into product-specific knowledge.

Gross motor ability predicts response to upper extremity rehabilitation in chronic stroke

The majority of rehabilitation research focuses on the comparative effectiveness of different interventions in groups of patients, while much less is currently known regarding individual factors that predict response to rehabilitation. In a recent article, the authors presented a prognostic model to identify the sensorimotor characteristics predictive of the extent of motor recovery after Constraint-Induced Movement (CI) therapy amongst individuals with chronic mild-to-moderate motor deficit using the enhanced probabilistic neural network (EPNN). This follow-up paper examines which participant characteristics are robust predictors of rehabilitation response irrespective of the training modality. To accomplish this, EPNN was first applied to predict treatment response amongst individuals who received a virtual-reality gaming intervention (utilizing the same enrollment criteria as the prior study). The combinations of predictors that yield high predictive validity for both therapies, using their respective datasets, were then identified. High predictive classification accuracy was achieved for both the gaming (94.7%) and combined datasets (94.5%). Though CI therapy employed primarily fine-motor training tasks and the gaming intervention emphasized gross-motor practice, larger improvements in gross motor function were observed within both datasets. Poorer gross motor ability at pre-treatment predicted better rehabilitation response in both the gaming and combined datasets. The conclusion of this research is that for individuals with chronic mild-to-moderate upper extremity hemiparesis, residual deficits in gross motor function are highly responsive to motor restorative interventions, irrespective of the modality of training.

Monitoring Different Phonological Parameters of Sign Language Engages the Same Cortical Language Network but Distinctive Perceptual Ones.

The study of signed languages allows the dissociation of sensorimotor and cognitive neural components of the language signal. Here we investigated the neurocognitive processes underlying the monitoring of two phonological parameters of sign languages: handshape and location. Our goal was to determine if brain regions processing sensorimotor characteristics of different phonological parameters of sign languages were also involved in phonological processing, with their activity being modulated by the linguistic content of manual actions. We conducted an fMRI experiment using manual actions varying in phonological structure and semantics: (1) signs of a familiar sign language (British Sign Language), (2) signs of an unfamiliar sign language (Swedish Sign Language), and (3) invented nonsigns that violate the phonological rules of British Sign Language and Swedish Sign Language or consist of nonoccurring combinations of phonological parameters. Three groups of participants were tested: deaf native signers, deaf nonsigners, and hearing nonsigners. Results show that the linguistic processing of different phonological parameters of sign language is independent of the sensorimotor characteristics of the language signal. Handshape and location were processed by different perceptual and task-related brain networks but recruited the same language areas. The semantic content of the stimuli did not influence this process, but phonological structure did, with nonsigns being associated with longer RTs and stronger activations in an action observation network in all participants and in the supramarginal gyrus exclusively in deaf signers. These results suggest higher processing demands for stimuli that contravene the phonological rules of a signed language, independently of previous knowledge of signed languages. We suggest that the phonological characteristics of a language may arise as a consequence of more efficient neural processing for its perception and production.

Level of psychological and psychophysical readiness of students for professional labor on railway

Purpose. Railway transport specialties make high demands to the development of number of characteristics in psychological and psycho-physical spheres of the specialist person. For the purposeful work organization on effective forming of these spheres the students should have clear information about the existing trends. It is necessary to determine these trends. Methodology. Techniques of psychological diagnosis are used in the research. Namely: rating scale of the level of situational and personal anxiety (Ch. Spilberger); the questionnaire of subjective control level (Ye. F. Bazhin), developed on the basis of Dzh. Rotter’s locus of control scale; Munsterberg test, Bourdon correction task); special physical exercises to assess the sensorimotor characteristics (action speed, stability of the vestibular reactions). Findings. Existing trends concerning the development level of students: situational and personal anxiety, level of subjective control, attention selectiveness, concentration and attention fixation, speed of action, stability of the vestibular reactions were determined. Originality. Innovation in the research is the identification in the development level of railway students of some indicators of psychological and psychophysical readiness for professional work. Practical value. The data obtained during the research give the idea of the existing realities with regard to psychological and psychophysical readiness of railway students for the professional work. This is the basis for the focused effort organization concerning the formation of students' psychological and psychophysical readiness during training sessions.