Location-specific modulations of plantar cutaneous reflexes in human (peroneus longus muscle) are dependent on co-activation of ankle muscles

Nakajima, Toshikatsu; Sakamoto, Masanori; Tazoe, Toshiki; Endoh, Takashi; Komiyama, Tomoyoshi

doi:10.1007/s00221-009-1802-9

Cited by 17 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…That is, the amplitude of the ELR was significantly reduced when subjects performed ARM alone and LEG alone compared to ARM&LEG movement. This general feature of task dependency is in line with many previous reports obtained from individual nerve stimulation [2], [11], [12], [14], [20], [23], [25], [32], [34]–[37]. An extension to this literature found here is that there were no significant differences between reflexes during ARM&LEG movement and mathematical summation of both separate tasks (ARM alone or LEG alone).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Convergence in Reflex Pathways from Multiple Cutaneous Nerves Innervating the Foot Depends upon the Number of Rhythmically Active Limbs during Locomotion

et al. 2014

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Neural output from the locomotor system for each arm and leg influences the spinal motoneuronal pools directly and indirectly through interneuronal (IN) reflex networks. While well documented in other species, less is known about the functions and features of convergence in common IN reflex system from cutaneous afferents innervating different foot regions during remote arm and leg movement in humans. The purpose of the present study was to use spatial facilitation to examine possible convergence in common reflex pathways during rhythmic locomotor limb movements. Cutaneous reflexes were evoked in ipsilateral tibialis anterior muscle by stimulating (in random order) the sural nerve (SUR), the distal tibial nerve (TIB), and combined simultaneous stimulation of both nerves (TIB&SUR). Reflexes were evoked while participants performed rhythmic stepping and arm swinging movement with both arms and the leg contralateral to stimulation (ARM&LEG), with just arm movement (ARM) and with just contralateral leg movement (LEG). Stimulation intensities were just below threshold for evoking early latency (<80 ms to peak) reflexes. For each stimulus condition, rectified EMG signals were averaged while participants held static contractions in the stationary (stimulated) leg. During ARM&LEG movement, amplitudes of cutaneous reflexes evoked by combined TIB&SUR stimulation were significantly larger than simple mathematical summation of the amplitudes evoked by SUR or TIB alone. Interestingly, this extra facilitation seen during combined nerve stimulation was significantly reduced when performing ARM or LEG compared to ARM&LEG. We conclude that locomotor rhythmic limb movement induces excitation of common IN reflex pathways from cutaneous afferents innervating different foot regions. Importantly, activity in this pathway is most facilitated during ARM&LEG movement. These results suggest that transmission in IN reflex pathways is weighted according to the number of limbs directly engaged in human locomotor activity and underscores the importance of arm swing to support neuronal excitability in leg muscles.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Convergence in Reflex Pathways from Multiple Cutaneous Nerves Innervating the Foot Depends upon the Number of Rhythmically Active Limbs during Locomotion

et al. 2014

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“…While non-noxious cutaneous reflexes have been studied for the three main nerve trunks innervating the dorsal and plantar foot, only recently have attempts to isolate specific tactile effects from regions of the foot sole been made [13,14]. These studies were restricted to sitting and standing conditions, and limited to forefoot medial, forefoot lateral, and heel stimulation but clearly showed that cutaneous reflexes evoked by stimulation of discrete foot sole regions produced topographical organized reflexes in human ankle muscles [13,14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These studies were restricted to sitting and standing conditions, and limited to forefoot medial, forefoot lateral, and heel stimulation but clearly showed that cutaneous reflexes evoked by stimulation of discrete foot sole regions produced topographical organized reflexes in human ankle muscles [13,14]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It was also observed that stimulation at the lateral forefoot and heel evoked excitatory responses in peroneus longus (PL), but following medial forefoot stimulation an inhibitory response was evoked [13,14]. These results suggest tactile stimulation mimics a destabilization of posture and thus modulates PL responses to counteract uneven terrain through stabilization of the ankle joint [13,14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cutaneous stimulation of discrete regions of the sole during locomotion produces “sensory steering” of the foot

Zehr

Nakajima

Barss

et al. 2014

BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil

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BackgroundWhile the neural and mechanical effects of whole nerve cutaneous stimulation on human locomotion have been previously studied, there is less information about effects evoked by activation of discrete skin regions on the sole of the foot. Electrical stimulation of discrete foot regions evokes position-modulated patterns of cutaneous reflexes in muscles acting at the ankle during standing but data during walking are lacking. Here, non-noxious electrical stimulation was delivered to five discrete locations on the sole of the foot (heel, and medial and lateral sites on the midfoot and forefoot) during treadmill walking. EMG activity from muscles acting at the hip, knee and ankle were recorded along with movement at these three joints. Additionally, 3 force sensing resistors measuring continuous force changes were placed at the heel, and the medial and lateral aspects of the right foot sole. All data were sorted based on stimulus occurrence in twelve step-cycle phases, before being averaged together within a phase for subsequent analysis.MethodsNon-noxious electrical stimulation was delivered to five discrete locations on the sole of the foot (heel, and medial and lateral sites on the midfoot and forefoot) during treadmill walking. EMG activity from muscles acting at the hip, knee and ankle were recorded along with movement at these three joints. Additionally, 3 force sensing resistors measuring continuous force changes were placed at the heel, and the medial and lateral aspects of the right foot sole. All data were sorted based on stimulus occurrence in twelve step-cycle phases, before being averaged together within a phase for subsequent analysis.ResultsThe results demonstrate statistically significant dynamic changes in reflex amplitudes, kinematics and foot sole pressures that are site-specific and phase-dependent. The general trends demonstrate responses producing decreased underfoot pressure at the site of stimulation.ConclusionsThe responses to stimulation of discrete locations on the foot sole evoke a kind of “sensory steering” that may promote balance and maintenance of locomotion through the modulation of limb loading and foot placement. These results have implications for using sensory stimulation as a therapeutic modality during gait retraining (e.g. after stroke) as well as for footwear design and implementation of foot sole contact surfaces during gait.

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“…Intralimb cutaneous reflexes have been demonstrated to possess task dependency (phasic locomotor vs. tonic maintained activity), intensity dependency (noxious vs. non-noxious stimulation), load dependency, phase dependency (swing vs. stance), and laterality dependency (ipsilateral vs. contralateral effects) [6][7][8] . The amplitude of cutaneous reflexes in both arm and leg muscles strongly depends on the location of the skin in which the stimulation was delivered (location specificity) [31][32][33] . These previous studies indicate that cutaneous reflexes are of functional importance for a variety of rhythmic movements for on-going activity in response to tactile sensation.…”

Section: Neurophysiological Bases Of Reflex Responses Arising From Cumentioning

confidence: 99%

Reflex modulation during rhythmic limb movements in humans

Komiyama

Nakajima

2012

JPFSM

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For many locomotor behaviors, such as walking or running, we count on subliminal somatosensory information to smoothly maintain on-going movement and avoid falling down when disturbances are presented to the stability of the body. Reflex responses induced by disturbances to stability play important roles in generating quick corrective responses. Reflex outputs to the arm and leg muscles generated by muscle and cutaneous afferents during locomotor movement show quite different features compared to those generated by simple voluntary contraction during sitting or standing, irrespective of the similar background activity of motoneurons. In particular, the excitability of cutaneous reflex pathways elicited by the electrical stimulation of low threshold mechanoreceptors on the skin is strongly modulated in a phase-, nerve-, task-dependent manner during locomotor movement. The pattern generating system in the spinal cord, which has been studied intensively in quadrupedal animals, may be responsible for both generating locomotor movement and reflex modulation even in humans. However, due to methodological difficulties, the accumulated evidence derived from human experiments is indirect. In this review, we will outline these unique features of the cutaneous reflexes during locomotor and rhythmic movements in humans.

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Location-specific modulations of plantar cutaneous reflexes in human (peroneus longus muscle) are dependent on co-activation of ankle muscles

Cited by 17 publications

References 34 publications

Convergence in Reflex Pathways from Multiple Cutaneous Nerves Innervating the Foot Depends upon the Number of Rhythmically Active Limbs during Locomotion

Convergence in Reflex Pathways from Multiple Cutaneous Nerves Innervating the Foot Depends upon the Number of Rhythmically Active Limbs during Locomotion

Cutaneous stimulation of discrete regions of the sole during locomotion produces “sensory steering” of the foot

Reflex modulation during rhythmic limb movements in humans

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