Are movement disorders and sensorimotor injuries pathologic synergies? When normal multi-joint movement synergies become pathologic

Marco Santello, Catherine E. Lang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

The intact nervous system has an exquisite ability to modulate the activity of multiple muscles acting at one or more joints to produce an enormous range of actions. Seemingly simple tasks, such as reaching for an object or walking, in fact rely on very complex spatial and temporal patterns of muscle activations. Neurological disorders such as stroke and focal dystonia affect the ability to coordinate multi-joint movements. This article reviews the state of the art of research of muscle synergies in the intact and damaged nervous system, their implications for recovery and rehabilitation, and proposes avenues for research aimed at restoring the nervous system’s ability to control movement.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number1050
JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience
Volume8
Issue numberJAN
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 6 2015

Keywords

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Coordination
  • Degrees of freedom
  • Dystonia
  • Stroke

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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