Developing a device for simultaneously investigating pivoting neuromuscular control and muscle properties toward a multi-axis rehabilitation

• Published in: PloS one 2024-07, Vol.19 (7), p.e0304665
• Main Authors: Lee, Song Joo, Kang, Hyunah, Kim, Keun-Tae, Kang, Sang Hoon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Active control; Adult; Biology and Life Sciences; Biomechanical Phenomena; Cross-Sectional Studies; Design and construction; Displacement; Engineering and Technology; Equipment and supplies; Equipment Design; Extremities, Lower; Feasibility studies; Female; Health aspects; Humans; Hydraulics; Image acquisition; Investigations; Leg; Lower Extremity - physiology; Male; Medical equipment; Medicine and Health Sciences; Methods; Movement - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Muscles; Neurological disorders; Neuromuscular system; Neuromuscular transmission; Physical Sciences; Physiological apparatus; Range of Motion, Articular - physiology; Rehabilitation; Research and Analysis Methods; Stiffness; Time synchronization; Training; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonography - methods; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304665

Understanding the pivoting neuromuscular control of the lower limb and its associated muscle properties is critical for developing diagnostic and rehabilitation tools. However, to the best of our knowledge, a device that can evaluate these factors simultaneously remains lacking. To address this gap, a device that can investigate pivoting neuromuscular control and associated muscle properties was developed in this study. The proposed device consisted of a pivoting mechanism and height-adjustable chair with a brace interface. The device can control a footplate at various speeds to facilitate pivoting stretching and quantify neuromuscular control. Time-synchronized ultrasonographic images can be acquired simultaneously to quantify muscle properties during both active and passive pivoting movements. The muscle displacement, fascicle length/displacement, pennation angle, pivoting stiffness, and pivoting instability were investigated using the proposed device. Further, the feasibility of the device was demonstrated through a cross-sectional study with healthy subjects. The proposed device successfully quantified changes in muscle displacement during passive and active pivoting movements, pivoting stiffness during passive movements, and neuromuscular control during active movements. Therefore, the proposed device is expected to be used as a research and therapeutic tool for improving pivoting neuromuscular control and muscle functions and investigating the underlying mechanisms associated between muscle properties and joint movement in the transverse plane.