How Muscle Stiffness affects Neural Control Parameters: Short-Range Stiffness Improves Stability and Feedback Robustness of Musculoskeletal Models

This paper investigates the effect of intrinsic muscle stiffness on neural control parameters in biological musculoskeletal control of stabilisation or reaching tasks. Current model implementations of intrinsic muscle properties are highly simplified, limiting their accuracy in replicating experimental short-range stiffness (SRS) behaviour,...

Design of an MR-safe haptic wrist manipulator for movement disorder diagnostics

Tremor, characterized by involuntary and rhythmical movements, is the most common movement disorder. Tremors can have peripheral and central oscillatory components which properly assessed and separated may improve diagnostics. An MR-safe haptic wrist manipulator enables simultaneous measurement of proprioceptive reflexes (peripheral components)...

Studying cortical involvement in the long latency stretch reflex response using subthreshold TMS

Assessing mechanisms of peripheral reflex control is important for understanding movement disorders after suprapsinal nerve lesions like stroke. In the present study, reflex provocation by ramp and hold rotations (R&H) was combined with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). In four subjects, subthreshold single pulses TMS were applied to the...