Vibratory Stimuli Research Articles

Relations Between Vibratory Stimulations and the Variability of Human motor Skills

Stimulation of vibratory stimuli is another measure in physiotherapeutic and sports training. Particularly the interest in research has significantly increased in the field of biomechanics and sports training. The basic subject of the research is the effects of stimulation with vibratory stimuli in relation to motor strength, coordination properties and mobility. The aim of the work is to discuss the parameters of stimulation and to review the biomechanical and physiological effects of using the whole body vibration on the human motor skills.

Relationships among the Timing of Initiation of Treatment Using Combined (Electrical and Vibratory Stimuli) Repetitive Facilitative Exercise for the Upper Limb, Severity of Palsy, and Level of Improvement in Post-stroke Hemiplegia

〔目的〕急性期から慢性期までの入院中の脳卒中患者に対し，併用促通反復療法（持続的電気刺激と振動刺激痙縮抑制法の併用）を同一施設で実施し，麻痺改善効果に与える治療開始の時期と麻痺重症度の影響を検討した．〔対象と方法〕対象は当院に入院した急性期，回復期，慢性期の脳卒中患者211名（上肢195名，手指202名）で，片麻痺上肢と手指に併用促通反復療法を実施し，評価には上田式12段階片麻痺機能テスト法を用いた．〔結果〕併用促通反復療法による上肢と手指の改善は麻痺の程度や病期にかかわらず有意であった．〔結語〕併用促通反復療法は，麻痺の程度や病期にかかわらず片麻痺を改善する．

Classification of Selective Attention Within Steady-State Somatosensory Evoked Potentials From Dry Electrodes Using Mutual Information-Based Spatio-Spectral Feature Selection

Nowadays, the steady-state somatosensory evoked potential (SSSEP)-based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) has been developed for improving the quality of daily life for people with physical disabilities. However, due to its poor performance of recognizing selective attention tasks and inattention(rest)-state, the SSSEP-based BCI has not been widely used for practical interfaces. In this paper, we propose a mutual information-based spatio-spectral feature selection method for recognizing selective attention tasks and inattention(rest)-state using dry electrodes considering a real-life application, when vibration stimuli were applied to both index fingers. In our methods, the filter-bank common spatial pattern (FBCSP) was used for extracting spatio-spectral features of the SSSEP. Then, discriminative features were selected using a mutual information-based best individual feature (MIBIF) algorithm. The regularized linear discriminant analysis (RLDA) used as the classifier. The feasibility of the proposed method was demonstrated through eight healthy subjects using the vibration stimuli induced SSSEP with spatially clear and distinguishable patterns for SSSEP-based BCI. From our study, the proposed method showed the best classification accuracy with a kappa value of 0.35±0.17. Furthermore, based on the ANOVA with posthoc tests, the proposed method showed significantly higher accuracy as 57.9% in decoding three classes (p -value <; 0.01) compared to the fast Fourier transform (FFT) and common spatial pattern (CSP)-based previous feature extraction methods. Consequently, the proposed FBCSP and MIBIF-based methods and findings can further help to improve decoding performance and develop the SSSEP-based BCI systems for real-world applications.

Enhancement process of Kinesthetic Illusion caused by vibrational stimuli

Enhancement process of Kinesthetic Illusion caused by vibrational stimuli

Effects of Acute Whole-Body Vibration Practice on Maximal Fat Oxidation in Adult Obese Males: A Pilot Study

Objective: Whole-body vibration (WBV) training has been established as a useful method to improve physical fitness in obese individuals. However, the effects of WBV exercise on maximal fat oxidation (MFO) have not been examined in obese subjects yet. Method: MFO was eval­uated during a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a treadmill in 12 adult obese males (BMI = 34.9 ± 3.3 kg/m²) after three different warm-up conditions: static half squat plus WBV (HSV), static half squat without WBV (HSWV), and rest (REST). Cortisol levels were evaluated before and after the warm-up, and 1 min (T1), 10 min (T10), and 30 min (T30) of the recovery phase. Results: MFO was significantly higher in HSV (p = 0.013; 569.4 ± 117.9 mg/min) and HSWV (p = 0.033; 563.8 ± 142.9 mg/min) than REST (445.5 ± 117.9 mg/min). Cortisol concentrations at T1 were significantly higher in HSV (p = 0.023) and HSWV (p = 0.015) than REST. Moreover, cortisol concentrations were significantly lower at T30 than T1 in HSWV (p = 0.04). No differences were found between T30 and T1 in HSV. Conclusions: Active warm-up increases MFO; however, vibration stimulus during half squatting does not increase MFO during a CPET in obese subjects. The lack of significant differences of cortisol concentrations in HSV during the recovery phase might suggest a long-term effect of WBV on the endocrine system.

The effect of vibratory stimulus on pain perception during intraoral local anesthesia administration in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundTo evaluate the effectiveness of vibration as a counter-stimulatory measure in reducing subjective pain due to local anesthesia administration in children.MethodsElectronic databases (PubMed, Ovid SP, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched until April 2020. Studies were screened by titles and abstracts, followed by full text evaluation of the included studies.ResultsA total of seven studies involving 376 children aged 5-17 years were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The meta-analysis compared vibration as a counter-stimulatory measure with no vibration as a comparator. The primary outcome evaluated was pain perception or subjective pain reported by the child. The secondary outcome evaluated was objective pain evaluated in each study. The pooled mean difference favored vibration to be effective for the first outcome.ConclusionWithin the limits of this systematic review, low quality evidence suggests that vibration as a counter-stimulatory measure is effective in reducing the subjective pain reported by children during local anesthesia administration.

Effect of intermittent mode of low-intensity vibratory stimuli on bone defect repair

Effect of intermittent mode of low-intensity vibratory stimuli on bone defect repair

Comparison of Three Different Techniques to Allay Anxiety before Local Anesthesia Injection in Pediatric Population

Introduction: The fear of dentists is one of the major concerns why pediatric patients avoid dentists and thereby compromising their oral hygiene status. Injection of local anesthesia is considered to be the most dreaded procedures and dentists all over the world have adopted different techniques to allay the fear, pain and anxiety of the patients. Material and Methods: 54 children aged between 6-13 years were included in the study. A simple randomization was done and the children were divided into three groups. Application of topical anesthesia gel at the site of administration of local anesthesia, pre-cooling the anesthetic site with ice prior to the administration of local anesthesia, vibratory stimulus adjacent to the site of administration of local anesthesia using a powered toothbrush were the groups from 1-3 respectively. The pain perception during the administration of infiltration anesthesia was assessed using Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: The greatest pain reduction was observed in the vibrations group with mean pain score 1.33 followed by pre cooling group with mean pain score 2.44 then topical anesthesia gel with mean score of 4.67. Mann-Whitney test showed that vibrations was statistical significant when compared with topical anesthesia and pre cooling before local anesthesia (P&lt;0.003). Conclusions: Use of vibrations using powered tooth brush adjacent to the site of injection during Local Anesthesia (LA) is an easy, reliable and cost effective technique and was found to reduce discomfort and facilitate the management of pediatric patients.

Are terrestrial isopods able to use stridulation and vibrational communication as forms of intra and interspecific signaling and defense strategies as insects do? A preliminary study in Armadillo officinalis

The capability of producing sounds and vibrations is well known in insects and is thought to be a form of intra- and interspecific communication. Sounds and vibrations are used and modulated for several aims such as interacting with conspecifics, getting information from the environment, and defending against predators. This phenomenon is less known but also present in other arthropods, including a few roller-type terrestrial isopods. In this study, we used a Y-shape test apparatus to investigate the behavior of adult individuals of Armadillo officinalis Duméril, 1816 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea) when exposed to two particular vibrational stimuli, namely species-specific stridulations and non-specific substrate-borne vibrations. Our results showed that adults of A. officinalis significantly react to the presence of both types of vibrational stimuli, by moving away from the vibrational source as if they experienced these vibrations as a sign of danger or disturbance. A. officinalis can produce stridulations only when it rolls into a ball during the so-called conglobation, a possible defense mechanism against predators. Stridulation might thus be a secondary form of defense used during conglobation to deter a predator following contact with it and might be experienced as an alert by conspecifics nearby. The high sensitivity to non-specific substrate-borne vibrations might provide A. officinalis with the possibility to anticipate dangers and adverse conditions, giving it a better chance of survival.

Acute effect of flexible bar exercise on scapulothoracic muscles activation, on isometric shoulder abduction force and proprioception of the shoulder of individuals with and without subacromial pain syndrome

BackgroundThere is currently no evidence about the effects of neuromuscular facilitation after the use of a flexible bar on scapulothoracic muscle activity in individuals with subacromial pain syndrome. The study aimed to assess the acute effect of flexible bar exercise and subjective fatigue on scapulothoracic muscle activity, shoulder proprioception, and shoulder abduction force of subjects with and without symptoms of subacromial pain syndrome. MethodFifty subjects with subacromial pain syndrome and 50 asymptomatic subjects were recruited. A short-term flexible bar exercise was performed to assess the vibratory stimulus effects on scapulothoracic muscle activity, shoulder proprioception, and shoulder abduction force, and the same exercise was performed on a long-term basis to assess the effects of subjective fatigue. The activities of the serratus anterior and three portions of the trapezius muscle were investigated using surface electromyography during arm elevation. The active joint position sense error was assessed to determine shoulder proprioception using a laser pointer. A hand-held dynamometer was used to assess isometric shoulder abduction force. FindingsNo significant intra-group differences were found in scapulothoracic muscle activity, as well as in active joint position sense error and isometric shoulder abduction force in either group (p >0.05). InterpretationThe acute effects of flexible bar exercise and subjective fatigue were unable to influence scapulothoracic muscle activation, shoulder joint position sense, and isometric shoulder abduction force in subacromial pain syndrome.

EXTRACTION OF COGNITIVE CHARACTERISTIC FUNCTIONS ACCORDING TO VARIOUS PARAMETER CHANGES OF VIBRATORY STIMULATION

In this study, vibratory stimuli with various intensities (four levels) and frequencies (10, 50, 100, 150, 200, 225, 250 and 300[Formula: see text]Hz) were applied to the right index finger to extract cognitive characteristic functions for the intensity and frequency. For subjective assessment, an experiment was conducted with 30 healthy adults in their twenties who were right-handed and had normal cognitive function. One trial of the experiment was composed of a vibration phase (0.1 s) and a rest phase (10 s). After vibration simulation was applied once for each intensity and frequency, the participants filled out a subjective assessment form. After extracting the score of each word, the cognitive characteristic function was derived through discriminant analysis and regression analysis according to the frequency and intensity. Through the cognitive characteristic function, the level of cognitive characteristics of each word can be investigated according to the influence of the frequency and intensity. The results observed through the cognitive characteristics function of each word showed that the words affected by the frequency and intensity were “light,” “thick,” “heavy,” “blunt,” “vibrating,” “fast” and “weak.” “Itchy” and “slow” were cognitive characteristics affected only by the frequency, and “strong” and “push” were affected only by the intensity. Through the vibratory stimulation presentation parameters, i.e., frequency and intensity, the results capable of predicting the degrees of various cognitive characteristics were presented.

A device for measuring sternal bone connectivity using vibration analysis techniques.

Stability of bone splitting sternotomy is essential for normal healing after open cardiac surgery. Mechanical vibration transmittance may offer a means for early detection of separation of bone (diastasis) in the sternotomy and prevent further complications. This article describes the technical implementation and validation of vibration analysis-based prototype device built for measuring sternal bone connectivity after sternotomy. An in-house built measurement system, sternal vibration device, consisting of actuator, sensor, and main controller and signal acquisition unit was designed and manufactured. The system was validated, and three different test settings were studied in mockups (polylactide rods in ballistic gel) and in two human sternums: intact, stable wire fixation, and unstable wire fixation with a gap mimicking bone diastasis. The transmittance of vibration stimulus across the median sternotomy was measured. The validation showed that the force produced by the actuator was stable, and the sensor could be calibrated to precisely measure the acceleration values. The vibration transmittance response to material cut and sternotomy was evident and detectable in the 20 Hz to 2 kHz band. The transmittance decreased when the connectivity between the sternal halves became unstable. The trend was visible in all the settings. Technical solutions and description of validation process were given. The device was calibrated, and the vibration transmittance analysis differentiated intact and cut polylactide rod. In the sternum, intact bone, wire fixation with exact apposition, and with a gap were identified separately. Although further studies are needed to assess the accuracy of the method to detect different levels of diastases, the method appears to be feasible.

Mechanical vibration does not systematically reduce the tremor in essential tremor patients

Essential tremor (ET) is a major cause of disability and is not effectively managed in half of the patients. We investigated whether mechanical vibration could reduce tremor in ET by selectively recruiting afferent pathways. We used piezoelectric actuators to deliver vibratory stimuli to the hand and forearm during long trials (4 min), while we monitored the tremor using inertial sensors. We analyzed the effect of four stimulation strategies, including different constant and variable vibration frequencies, in 18 ET patients. Although there was not a clear homogeneous response to vibration across patients and strategies, in most cases (50–72%) mechanical vibration was associated with an increase in the amplitude of their tremor. In contrast, the tremor was reduced in 5–22% of the patients, depending on the strategy. However, these results are hard to interpret given the intrinsic variability of the tremor: during equally long trials without vibration, the tremor changed significantly in 67% of the patients (increased in 45%; decreased in 22%). We conclude that mechanical vibration of the limb does not have a systematic effect on tremor in ET. Moreover, the observed intrinsic variability of the tremor should be taken into account when designing future experiments to assess tremor in ET and how it responds to any intervention.

Intravaginal Vibratory Stimulus and Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Intravaginal Vibratory Stimulus and Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy: Charcot Marie Tooth disease

Charcot Mariet Tooth’s disease (ECMT) or hereditary sensory and motor neuropathy is the one of the most common group of degenerative disorders of the peripheral nervous system, related with a set of genetic alterations that changes the structure, formation and maintenance of myelin. It affects 1 out of 2500 people without considering the age, gender or ethnicity; its etiology is entirely genetic. According to the nerve conduction velocity it is classified in demyelinating or CMT1, axonal or CMT2 and intermediate the same that has the features of the two previous ones. ECMT in majority of cases it is a slowly progressive disease, presenting with characteristic signs of high instep, stork leg, atrophy and decreased muscle strength, altered perception of vibratory stimuli, distal beginning with proximal progression; arreflexia and alteration of march. The diagnosis is based on family history, clinical and physical examination, complemented by electromyography studies, to determine their classification. Genetic tests are taken, based on the type of suspected ECMT, and these will be used for family counseling. Nowadays there is no specific and curative treatment, that’s why support should be provided with physical and rehabilitation therapies, psychological, occupational, as well as an optimal pain control.

Effect of Mechanical Vibrations During Transport Operations of Nilo Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Oscillatory movements present in the transport of live fish may compromise the physiological stability and the future performance of the animals. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of mechanical vibrations in the transport of Nile tilapia through vibration levels and shocks occurred in transport boxes previously installed in a truck. The research was carried out in a fish farming integrating company in the state of Cear&amp;aacute;, Brazil, with the monitoring of 5 live fish loads. The transport truck used was of the open type, with capacity for five boxes of fiberglass with a useful volume of 2400 L, density of 236 kg m-3. The data were recorded through five dataloggers, to monitor the vibration level (m s-2) and the occurrence and amplitude of mechanical shocks on the roads. Hematological, metabolic and ionic responses of fish were evaluated as well as visual observations of physical injuries. The most intense shocks occurred with the truck between 60 and 80 km h-1, with vibrations 1.151 m s-2 in the transport box, as well as in the water 0.489 m s-2. Larger vibration levels occurred on the asphalt road, with an average value of 1.13 m s-2, while on the dirt road they registered an average of 0.57 m s-2. Vibratory and mechanical stimuli presented secondary responses to blood level stress with alterations in glycemia, hematocrit, hemoglobin and magnesium ions. Physical lesions with 34% severe and 21% moderate, showed an uncomfortable environmental condition to fish.

Long-term exposure to substrate-borne vibrations and the behavioral response of field crickets (Gryllidae)

Anthropogenic noise is a present in most landscapes, with a variety of impacts documented across taxa. Much of the research investigating the impact of anthropogenic noise on animals in terrestrial ecosystems has focused primarily on airborne sound, with little attention to substrate borne vibrations. Many invertebrates rely on substrate borne signals and cues to communicate and detect predators or prey, but little is understood about the impact of substrate-borne vibrational noise on invertebrate behavior. We designed an experiment to determine if wild populations of field crickets (Gryllus pennsylvanicus and G. veletis) that occupy habitats close to heavily trafficked roadways typified by high levels of substrate-borne vibrational noise displayed a lower response to substrate-borne cues compared to populations in quiet locations. Low frequency substrate-borne vibrational stimuli (100–1000 Hz bandpass brown noise) was played back to singing males in the field to determine behavioral thresholds to vibration. Populations at roadside sites were exposed to substrate vibrations of 0.36–0.40 mm/s peak to peak while crickets at quiet sites were exposed to 0.29–0.30 mm/s peak to peak. Behavioral threshold responses of each population are presented.

Age of first exposure to soccer heading and sensory reweighting for upright stance

ObjectiveTo compare sensory reweighting for upright stance between soccer players who began soccer heading before age 10 years (AFE ≤ 10) and those who began soccer heading after age 10 years (AFE &gt; 10).BackgroundIn 2015, US Soccer announced an initiative to eliminate soccer heading for youth players ages 10 years and younger and to limit soccer heading for children ages 11 to 13 years. Limited empirical evidence associates soccer heading during early adolescence and long-term behavioral deficits.Design/MethodsThirty college-aged soccer players self-reported AFE to soccer heading. Sensory reweighting was compared between AFE ≤ 10 [n = 19, 11 males (58%), 22 ± 3 years, 171 ± 9 cm, 70 ± 11 kg, 5 with concussion history (26%)] and AFE &gt; 10 [N = 11, 5 males (45%), 22 ± 2 years, 172 ± 7 cm, 69 ± 13 kg, 3 with concussion history (27%)]. To evaluate sensory reweighting, we simultaneously perturbed upright stance with visual (i.e., moving visual scene at 0.2 Hz), vestibular (i.e., ±1 mA bilateral monopolar galvanic vestibular stimulus (GVS) at 0.36 Hz), and proprioceptive stimulation (i.e., 80 Hz vibratory stimulus to their bilateral Achilles tendons at 0.28 Hz). The visual stimulus was presented at different amplitudes (i.e., 0.2 m, 0.8 m in the anterior-posterior (AP) direction) to measure the leg-segment AP displacement change in gain to vision, an intramodal effect; and change in gain to GVS and vibration, both intermodal effects. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare sensory reweighting between groups.ResultsThere were no differences in gain to vision (F1,28 = 0.033, p = 0.857, η2 = 0.001), gain to GVS (F1,28 = 0.001, p = 0.971, η2 = 0.000), or gain to vibration (F1,28 = 0.001, p = 0.974, η2 = 0.000), and no differences in sensory reweighting (i.e. conditionXgroup effect; vision, F3,84 = 0.160, p = 0.923, η2 = 0.006; GVS, F3,84 = 0.043, p = 0.988, η2 = 0.002; vibration, F1,28 = 0.068, p = 0.797, η2 = 0.002).ConclusionsThere were no differences in sensory processing for upright stance between AFE ≤ 10 and AFE &gt; 10, suggesting that soccer heading during early adolescence is not associated with balance deficits in college-aged soccer players, notwithstanding potential deficits in other markers of neurological function.

Repetitive head impact exposure and sensory reweighting for upright stance

ObjectiveTo compare sensory reweighting between soccer players who report higher exposure to soccer heading and those who report lower exposure to soccer heading.BackgroundExposure to repetitive head impacts (RHI), such as through routine soccer heading, may have potentially detrimental effects.Design/MethodsThirty participants completed a self-reported questionnaire to estimate the number of RHI sustained weekly, and were divided into low-, medium-, and high-RHI groups based on their responses. Sensory reweighting was compared between low-RHI (N = 10, 4 males, 22.9 ± 3.0 years, 170.5 ± 7.7 cm, 70.0 ± 12.14 kg, 2 ± 2 RHI) and high-RHI groups (N = 10, 5 males, 20.0 ± 1.1 years, 170.4 ± 7.4 cm, 69.6 ± 13.4 kg, 60 ± 37 RHI). Participants experienced a visual stimulus at 0.2 Hz, a ±1 mA binaural monopolar galvanic vestibular stimulus (GVS) at 0.36 Hz, and a vibratory stimulus to their bilateral Achilles tendons at 0.28 Hz during standing. The visual stimulus was presented at different amplitudes (0.2, 0.8 m translation in the anterior-posterior direction) to measure the change in leg gain to vision, gain to vibration, and gain to GVS. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare sensory reweighting between groups.ResultsThere were group differences in sensory reweighting for leg gain to GVS (i.e. condition X group effect; F3,54 = 5.068, p = 0.004, η2 = 0.220), whereby the high-RHI group did not reweight gain to GVS across conditions, and gain to vision (F3,54 = 3.397, p = 0.024, η2 = 0.159), whereby the high-RHI group had higher gains than the low-RHI group in the 0.2 m visual stimulus condition. There were no group differences in sensory reweighting for gain to vibration (F1,18 = 0.045, p = 0.834, η2 = 0.003).ConclusionsRoutine soccer heading is associated with relatively high head accelerations. These results suggest that exposure to frequent RHI may induce adaptation that diminishes reliance on vestibular function. Consequently, visual feedback is upweighted to maintain balance during upright stance.

A study on cognitive experience in response to vibrational stimuli of various frequencies at different intensities

The present study aimed to evaluate the cognitive experience associated with frequency and intensity by presenting subjects with vibrational stimuli of eight frequencies (10, 50, 100, 150, 200, 225, 250, and 300 Hz) and three intensities (Level 1: 0.25 G, Level 2: 0.38 G, Level 3: 1.3 G). The study participants were right-handed healthy adults (13 male subjects aged 23.2 years ± 0.8 and 7 female subjects aged 22.3 years ± 1.5) with normal cognitive function. The trials consisted of a stimulation phase (0.1 s) and a rest phase (6 s). After all types of stimuli were presented over five trials, a subjective evaluation was completed. As a result, the cognitive characteristic ‘weak’ was associated with the low frequency band of all intensity levels, while ‘strong’ was associated with an increase in vibration frequency and intensity. In addition to ‘weak’ and ‘strong’, the characteristic ‘vibrating’ was associated with frequencies above 100 Hz for all intensities. There were differences in cognitive experience, such as ‘thick’, ‘blunt’, and ‘heavy,’ between 100 and 150 Hz based on the level of intensity. In high frequency vibrations, between 200 and 300 Hz, the main characteristics changed to ‘fast’, ‘shallow’, and ‘light’ according to the intensity level.In this study, it was possible to derive cognitive experiences describing weight, unevenness, and thickness at specific intensities and frequencies in addition to the characteristics ‘weak’ and ‘strong’, which are typically associated with stimulus strength and frequency. If more diverse tactile properties can be derived through more detailed manipulations of stimulus intensity and frequency, complex linguistic information can then be associated with direct touch.