The assessment of proprioception in contemporary clinical practice usually involves having the patients with eyes closed attempt to identify passively held test positions using verbal descriptions or limb matching responses. It is equally common for the examiner to estimate the accuracy of these responses without the aid of a measuring instrument. Since these uninstrumented assessments are unlikely to allow adequate identification or quantification of a patient’s proprioceptive deficits, the aim of this study was to develop and validate an improved method for the clinical assessment of joint position sense. The two main types of assessment investigated were: (1) replication of joint positions using limb matching responses, during which the test and response positions were measured using computer-aided or manual digitisation of videotape images, and (2) joint position sense assessments where rating scales were used to define either the test or response positions. (For complete abstract open document)

Altered neuromuscular processing and motor output as both a risk and perpetuating factor for chronic neck pain is a relative new area of study. The cervical flexion relaxation response (FRR) is a reproducible and reliable marker of differences in neuromuscular function between neck pain patients and controls. Change in joint position sense (JPS) of upper limb joints has also been linked to chronic neck pain. Studies in this thesis sought to develop an experimental model in humans to investigate whether the FRR and JPS can be altered by fatigue and/or postural stress. Additionally a pilot study on the effect of three months of chiropractic treatment on the FRR was conducted. The studies revealed that muscular fatigue is a modulator of the FRR and may play a large role in spine stabilization. Minor postural alterations in the neck can impact joint position error at the elbow and 12 weeks of chiropractic care is a useful therapy to improve chronic and recurrent neck pain as well as improving the cervical FRR. / UOIT

Tyrimo objektas: skirtingų kinezioteipo metodikų poveikis blauzdą tiesiančių raumenų jėgos momento variabilumui ir tikslaus judesio atkartojimui tiesiant blauzdą. Tikslas - išsiaiškinti kaip skirtingos kinezioteipavimo metodikos veikia kelio sąnario propriocepciją. Uždaviniai: 1. Ištirti ir palyginti skirtingų kinezioteipavimo metodikų poveikį blauzdą tiesiančių raumenų jėgos momento variabilumui, su ir be vaizdinės grįžtamosios informacijos, kai kelio sąnarys sulenktas 60º kampu. 2. Ištirti ir palyginti skirtingų kinezioteipavimo metodikų poveikį blauzdą tiesiančių raumenų jėgos momento variabilumui, su ir be vaizdinės grįžtamosios informacijos, kai kelio sąnarys sulenktas 90º kampu. 3. Ištirti ir palyginti skirtingų kinezioteipavimo metodikų poveikį tikslaus judesio atkartojimui, tiesiant blauzdą be vaizdinės grįžtamosios informacijos. Hipotezė. Žinant, kad raumeninės kinezioteipavimo metodikos (KT1) naudojimas labiau veikia raumeninius judesio valdymo aspektus, manome, kad judesio variabilumas sumažės ypač prie vidutinio raumens ilgio, o raištinė kinezioteipavimo metodika (KT2) veikianti sąnarinius judesio valdymo aspektus pagerins tikslaus judesio atkartojimą tiesiant blauzdą. Tyrimo metodai ir organizavimas: Tyrimas atliktas Lietuvos kūno kultūros akademijos Judesių klinikinių ir fundamentaliųjų tyrimų centre. Tyrimo pradžioje buvo išmatuoti maksimalūs blauzdą tiesiančių raumenų valingos jėgos momentai, kai koja sulenkta per kelio sąnarį 90° ir 60° kampu. Vėliau buvo... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Object of the study: the effect of different kinesio taping techniques for knee isometric torque variability and joint position sense Aim of the study: to investigate the effect of different kinesio taping techniques for knee proprioception Goals of the study: 1. To investigate and compare the effect of different kinesio taping techniques for knee extensors torque variability with and without visual feedback when knee is in 60º flexion. 2. To investigate and compare the effect of different kinesio taping techniques for knee extensors torque variability with and without visual feedback when knee is in 90º flexion. 3. To investigate and compare the effect of different kinesio taping techniques for joint position sense with and without visual feedback. Hypothesis of the study: Knowing that kinesio taping technique for muscle (KT1) affects motor control of muscles, it might be supposed that movement variability will decrease when muscle will be in the medium length and it’s known that kinesio taping technique for ligament (KT2) affects motor control of joints so we believe that it will improve the joint position of the knee. Methods and organization of the study: The study was performed in the Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education in the Center of Movements Clinical and Basic Research. At the beginning maximal isometric knee extension torque at knee joint angles of 60º, 90º was measured. Furthermore, isometric knee extension torque variability at 20% of maximal voluntary... [to full text]

Ankle sprains are among the most common injuries for participants in running and jumping sports. Following an initial sprain injury, many (30-40%) will develop chronic ankle instability (CAI), characterized by a perception of instability and repeated sprain injuries. Quasi-static test methods indicate poor postural stability and joint position sense (JPS) as associated motor control deficits. Little research, though, has investigated ankle motor control under dynamic (simulated sport) or fatigue conditions. To better understand factors contributing to the increased sprain rate in adults with CAI, three studies were completed investigating the roles of running speed, fatigue, and ankle bracing on motor control in adults with CAI. First, two groups with and without ankle instability performed dynamic athletic maneuvers at each of two running speeds. Joint kinematics and kinetics were measured to identify differences in motor control strategies. Participants also completed two quasi-static tests (JPS and single leg drop landings). The level of correspondence between quasi-static and dynamic test methods was of particular interest. A second study compared fatigue development and fatigue adaptations when executing single leg drop landings. Strength loss and ratings of perceived exertion measured fatigue development, and joint kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activation quantified drop landing performance. A final study examined whether ankle braces, a common treatment for ankle sprains, retained their effectiveness when an athlete was fatigued. JPS and ankle stiffness were measured before and after a fatigue protocol while using each of three brace conditions. Overall, results indicated that adults with CAI exhibit distinct adaptations to changes in speed and to fatigue that may increase their risk for ankle reinjury. Specific changes, however, depended on the particular activity being performed. Single leg drop landing kinematics may be a good representation of kinematics during dynamic athletic performance. Neither test brace improved JPS following fatigue, but each may be effective in providing mechanical stiffness compared to an unbraced condition. The effectiveness of a particular test brace, however, may be gender-specific. Future work should focus on identifying the benefits of different braces under broader conditions to help inform brace selection. / Ph. D.

Background: Impaired proprioception has been reported in patients with neck pain. The most common way to assess proprioception is the testing of joint position sense. Researchers usually uses advanced technical equipment. Laser pointer tests have been described for testing global joint position sense against two-dimensional targets, which can also be used clinically. One-dimensional targets can provide accurate information about deviations in the current motion plane and allow easy calculation of a number of additional output variables. Objectives: Evaluate test-retest reliability of a new clinical test using laser pointer and a one-dimensional target for assessment of cervical joint position sense. Design: Cross-sectional test-retest reliability study. Method:The study included 56 individuals, 30 healthy controls and 26 with neck pain were tested at two occasions 6-8 days apart. Calculation of the reliability was done by analysing relative, ICC, and absolute, SEM, reliability. Results: The results were relatively scattered but showed an overall moderatereliability with an ICC between 0,51-0,73, but in some cases a poor reliability under 0,5 except for two measures that showed good reliability over 0,77.The SEM for total group were between 0,72°-2,87°, indicating a relatively high level.  Conclusions: Current research demonstrates an overall moderate reliability testing JPS with a laser pointer and a one-dimensional target.