An investigation of the contribution of the multi-joint arm stiffness to the motor control defecit [sic] experienced in ataxia

Prior research has shown that the control response of the limbs is affected by the mechanical properties of the limb and the feedback properties of the CNS. Cerebellar ataxia describes a situation in which damage to the cerebellum results in compromised motor control. It is characterized by such things as a clumsy or disturbed gait, a lack of balance and coordination, and unsteady speech patterns; for severe cases of ataxia, gross muscle coordination can degenerate to the point where successful, coordinated movements are not possible. In order to better understand the control deficit experienced by ataxic persons, estimates of the feedback properties of the CNS and the limb-muscle mechanical properties and will be necessary. Specifically, this investigation hopes to determine to what extent ataxia is cause by abnormal effective stiffness. Because ataxic patients do not exhibit deficits in strength or postural maintenance, we hypothesize a priori that the measured stiffness of ataxic subjects will be normal. We test this by conducting postural stiffness study on an ataxic subject, and measuring stiffness for two degrees of subject co-activation - minimal subject co-activation and maximal subject co-activation - and for different equilibrium postures.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Oni, Olumuyiwa A. (Olumuyiwa Adetokunbo)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Steve Massaquoi.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/36720

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/36720