Yozu Arito, Katsuhira Junji, Oka Hiroyuki, Matsudaira Ko
Department of Precision Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo: 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
Department of Medical Research and Management for Musculoskeletal Pain, 22nd Century Medical and Research Center, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Japan.
J Phys Ther Sci. 2023 Jul;35(7):502-506. doi: 10.1589/jpts.35.502. Epub 2023 Jul 1.
[Purpose] Humans keep their trunks vertical while walking. This defining characteristic is known as upright bipedalism. Research on the neural control of locomotion indicates that not only subcortical structures, but also the cerebral cortex, especially the supplementary motor area (SMA), is involved in locomotion. A previous study suggested that SMA may contribute to truncal upright posture-control during walking. Trunk Solution (TS) is a trunk orthosis designed to support the trunk in decreasing the low back load. We hypothesized that the trunk orthosis might reduce the burden of truncal control on the SMA. The objective of this study was, therefore, to determine the effect of trunk orthosis on the SMA during walking. [Participants and Methods] Thirteen healthy participants were enrolled in the study. We measured the hemodynamics of the SMA during walking with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The participants performed two gait tasks on a treadmill: (A) independent gait (usual gait) and (B) supported gait while wearing the TS. [Results] During (A) independent gait, the hemodynamics of the SMA exhibited no significant changes. During (B) gait with truncal support, the SMA hemodynamics decreased significantly. [Conclusion] TS may reduce the burden of truncal control on the SMA during walking.
[目的]人类行走时保持躯干垂直。这一决定性特征被称为直立双足行走。对运动神经控制的研究表明，不仅皮层下结构，而且大脑皮层，特别是辅助运动区（SMA），都参与了运动。先前的一项研究表明，SMA可能有助于行走过程中躯干直立姿势的控制。躯干解决方案（TS）是一种躯干矫形器，旨在支撑躯干以减轻下背部负荷。我们假设躯干矫形器可能会减轻SMA对躯干控制的负担。因此，本研究的目的是确定躯干矫形器在行走过程中对SMA的影响。[参与者与方法]13名健康参与者被纳入本研究。我们使用功能性近红外光谱（fNIRS）测量行走过程中SMA的血流动力学。参与者在跑步机上执行两项步态任务：（A）独立步态（正常步态）和（B）佩戴TS时的支撑步态。[结果]在（A）独立步态期间，SMA的血流动力学没有显著变化。在（B）有躯干支撑的步态期间，SMA血流动力学显著下降。[结论]TS可能会减轻行走过程中SMA对躯干控制的负担。
