Cortical activity, kinematics and trunk muscles activity response to pelvis movements during unstable sitting

1.Introduction

A potential mechanism which is associated with lower back pain is known as insufficient lumbar stability [1], reduced proprioception, which causing the impaired postural control [2]. Trunk postural control is often assessed when using unstable seats to perform the sitting tasks [3]. The larger center-of-pressure while sitting on unstable seat indicates the poorer postural control [3, 4]. Balance control is a leading component of human every day motor activities such as standing, walking or sitting and its impairment is associated with an increased risk of falling [5, 6], functional independence [6], lower back pain due to impaired motor control mechanism. A complex interplay between the sensory and the motor systems allows a good control on posture and balance [5]. Efficient control of the center of mass by proper muscle activation is essential in maintaining a good equilibrium in standing and sitting. Thus, reduced somatosensory input can affect the postural control in lower back pain.

In many studies there are talking and experimenting about increment of dynamic sitting via destabilization of support surface [6, 7, 8] and mostly this dynamic sitting or standing is explained as external perturbation [6] to reach physiological changes. Also, other dynamic sitting is reached via internal perturbation [9, 10] when individuals should maintain balance using external force (muscles). The important features of unstable chairs with movable seat are that it forces of the pelvis movement and increases muscle activity [6].

Moreover, studies analyzing electroencephalography (EEG) signals during external balance perturbations showed higher demands on balance control. This is associated with higher theta activity located in the medial fronto – central cortical area [11, 7]. Theta activity increment during balance tasks is not only in the fronto – central cortex but also include centro – parietal regions [11] which is involved in sensory integration and sensorimotor coordination. The functional significance of frontal and parietal brain areas involvement during balance control is supported by longitudinal studies on the effects of balance training on neural structure [12]. Gray matter volume increased in frontal and parietal cortical areas after six weeks of continuous balance training and this was correlated with improvements in balance performance [12]. Also, it is important to mention, that subjects explored and evaluated different movement coordination patterns to improve performance in the dynamic balance tasks [12]. Various components of motor learning as a means to induce neuroplasticity [13]. Here we focus on evaluation of the theta and alpha waves cortical activity, trunk muscles activity and kinematics in static sitting, dynamic sitting on different platforms: simple wobble board (WB) and wobble board on bearing surface (WBB). We hypothesize that on custom – made wobble board on bearing surface pelvic motions will be more challenging according to trunk muscles activity, cortical activity, and kinematics parameters, comparing with simple wobble board.

2.Materials and methods

2.2Protocol overview

Three different equipment were used for experiment: regular chair, wobble board (WB) and custom designed wobble board on bearing surface (WBB) (Fig. 1). The tasks were divided into 3 groups: static sitting, anterior and posterior pelvis movement on wobble board (WB1) and on wobble board on bearing surface (WBB1), lateral – medial pelvis movement on wobble board (WB2) and on wobble board on bearing surface (WBB2). There were 5 tasks and each of them was performed once and lasted for 60 s with the break between them. During these tasks simultaneously the kinematics of body segments, electromyography (EMG) of five trunk muscles, electroencephalography (EEG) of 32 scalp electrodes were measured. Before the balancing movements, all subjects sat quietly for 30 s, Fig. A.1. While subjects performed the tasks in the different experimental conditions, a 3D motion capture system was used to record the trajectory of the calibrated anatomical systems technique. Reflective markers were placed on the spine, arms, pelvis, knees, ankles and feet. The locations of the reflective markers were collected using 10 high-speed infrared cameras recording at 300 Hz For one person five tasks were assigned and 5 trunk muscles activity, 13 EEG electrodes and 3 kinematic points were analyzed after experimental measurements. The EMG, EEG and kinematic data were recorded simultaneously.

Figure 1.

Experimental protocol.

2.3Data acquisition

2.3.1Platform movements

A custom – made wobble board on bearing surface was made, Fig. 2 which was showed in a previous research [14]. This unstable seat has 3 degrees of freedom (DOF), anterior – posterior, lateral – medial movements. Wobble board on bearing surface is made with 6 small bearings beneath the top surface and can move freely in all directions.

Figure 2.

a) A simple wobble board and b) wobble board placed on bearing surface.

2.3.2Electromyography data acquisition processing and analysis

The trunk muscles activity was measured during the balance tasks by surface electromyography (sEMG) (Noraxon MR3.6). Bipolar sEMG activity was recorded using surface electrodes from the right side of: m. transversus abdominis (TA) 2 cm inferior and medial to the anterior superior iliac spine and parallel to the fibers of the TA [15], m. obliques externus (OE), m. rectus abdominis (RA) 4 cm to the side from the umbilicus, lower border of electrode at umbilicus level [15], m. erector spine (thoraco – lumbar part) (ES) 5 cm lateral to T9 spinous process [16], m. multifidus (MF) aligned with a line from caudal tip posterior spina iliaca superior to the interspace between L1 and L2 interspace at the level of L5 spinous process [17]. Before the surface electrodes placement on the skin was shaved, swabbed and rubbed with alcohol to reduce skin impedance. The sampling rate was set to 1500 Hz.

For further calculations and results comparison between participants, maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) was performed for each muscle and the sEMG amplitude recorded at the same time. MVIC was performed for every muscle three times, trial lasts 5 seconds with the rest interval between every trial. Mean MVIC EMG amplitude was calculated for each of the three, 5 seconds windows and these data were used for proportion calculations to get the %MVIC. The data obtained from the task procedures of the pelvis were converted to percent according proportion calculation.

After measurement, the offline data processing of electromyography was done for all subjects. sEMG data were band-pass filtered (the frequency range 5–500 Hz) then full wave rectified and smoothened. The amplitude of sEMG data was normalized using the mean dynamic activity method [18].

2.3.3Electroencephalography data acquisition processing and analysis

Electroencephalography was recorded from 32 scalp locations overlying the whole scalp (Fp1, Fp2, F7, F3, Fz, F4, F8, FC5, FC1, FC2, FC6, AF3, AF4, T7, C3, Cz, C4, T8, CP5, CP1, CP2, CP6, P7, P3, Pz, P4, P8, PO7, PO3, PO4, PO8, Oz) [7] and equally distributed over both hemispheres according to the International 10:20-system, using a wireless EEG amplifier, g. Nautilus (g.tec medical engineering GmbH, Austria). Electrode PO8 was placed directly on mastoid bone beneath the EEG cap. The referent position was placed at the right ear. Active electrode sites were prepared by rubbing the scalp with a blunt-tipped needle, which was subsequently used to apply conductive electrode gel (g.gamma gel). Mastoid electrode site was additionally prepared by scrubbing the skin with an alcohol pad [8]. Impedances at primary electrode sites (i.e., mastoids) were < 10 kΩ before the start of data collection. All other active electrode sites were similarly prepared, but impedance values were not generally < 10 kΩ before the start of data collection. For the female subject with longer hair, the impedance at several electrode sites were maintained at 50 kΩ level. The sampling rate was set to 250 Hz. Before started to measure the EEG signal, the band-pass filter was set to 0.5–100 Hz and the notch filter was set to 50 Hz [19]. The signals were measured using Simulink programmable block modules.

During measurement and after that data were collected and processed using g.BSanalyze software package for Matlab. The EEG data were first high-pass filtered (Butterworth filter, highpass: 0.5 Hz) to remove noise in the lower frequencies. A semiautomatic algorithm was used to exclude segments contaminated by artifacts. For the remaining segmented data of each balance condition an Independent Component Analysis (ICA) algorithm implemented in g.BSanalyze was used for ICA decomposition [7]. Segmented data were then baseline corrected.

To investigate cortical activity changes on two different unstable surfaces, spectral power values for theta (3–7 Hz) and alpha (8–13Hz) frequency bands were calculated (Hanning window).

According to previous studies [7, 20] regions of interest were defined as follows: frontal (F3, Fz, F4), fronto – central (FC1, FC2, C3, Cz, C4), centro – parietal (CP1, CP2, P3, Pz, P4).

2.3.4Kinematic data

Three-dimensional kinematic data were recorded by motion capture with 10 cameras (Oqus7+ Qualisys AB, Gothenburg, Sweden) and the Qualysis Track Manager software at a sampling frequency of 300 Hz. The Helen-Hayes marker set was used for measuring full – body kinematics, Fig. 3. For this study two anatomical points were of major interest: pelvis point – anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and spine region point 10th vertebra of thoracic spine. The amplitudes of these anatomical points were calculated during pelvis movements (lateral – medial, anterior – posterior) on two different surfaces from the direct kinematics.

Figure 3.

Full body kinematics. Anatomical points amplitude of movement while sitting on wobble board on bearing surface (WBB) and wobble board (WB) at the same time performing lateral – medial and anterior – posterior movements.

3.Results

3.1Electromyography (EMG)

3.1.1Muscles activity change on different sitting surfaces

The increment of MF, EO and TA muscles activity were observed on WBB1 compared with WB1, Fig. B.1, however these results were not statistically significant. Except ES muscle, which activity on WBB1 was 2.45 (3.35 ± 3.74) % and on WB1 0.79 (1.56 ± 5.38) %. result was statistically significant (Z=-2.430, p= 0.015).

Figure 4.

Muscles activity change in anterior – posterior motion on wobble board (WB1) and muscles activity in anterior – posterior motion on wobble board on bearing surface (WBB1).

Figure 5.

Muscles activity change in lateral – medial motion on wobble board (WB2) and muscles activity in lateral – medial motion on wobble board on bearing surface (WBB2).

Significant differences of MF, ES and EO activity change on a lateral – medial pelvic movement in sitting on WB and WBB was observed, Fig. 4. Muscles activity change was measured from static sitting. The MF muscle activity on WBB2 was 8.52 (10.79 ± 7.52) %. the increment was statistically significant (Z=-3.124, p= 0.002) when compared with WB2 1.24 (1.95 ± 5.75) %. Also, the superficial muscle ES activity on WBB2 increased by 7.98 (7.60 ± 5.33) %, however, on WB2 increment was smaller 1.35 (2.56 ± 3.26) %. The difference of ES muscles on WBB2 and WB2 was statistically significant (Z=-3.067, p= 0.002). Abdominal wall muscle EO activity on WBB2 was 4.87 (4.81 ± 3.73) %, on WB2 was 0.77 (0.44 ± 5.44) %, the difference was statistically significant (Z=-2.166, p= 0.03) Fig. 5.

3.3Kinematics

Significant differences (Z=-3.408, p= 0.001) were observed in the displacement of anterior – posterior motion of anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) on WBB1 43.22 (43.59 ± 16.68) the amplitude of movement was smaller than on WB1 95.27 (93.53 ± 32.52). Also, the marker on the thoracic spine (Th10) displacement was analysed in anterior – posterior motion, and the significant difference (Z=-3.332, p= 0.001) was found on WBB1 the displacement was smaller 36.96 (43.32 ± 20.48) compared with WB1 75.14 (81.23 ± 40.66), Fig. 6.

Figure 6.

Mean of ASIS and Th10 amplitude of movement in anterior – posterior pelvic motion on wobble board on bearing surface (WBB1) and wobble board (WB1).

Significant differences (Z=-3.680, p< 0.001) were observed in the amplitude of movement of lateral – medial motion of anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) on WBB1 69.65 (73.84 ± 23.02) mm the amplitude of movement was smaller than on WB1 101.24 (104.85 ± 30.54) mm. Also, the marker on the thoracic spine (Th10) amplitude of movement was analysed in lateral – medial motion, and there was no significant difference observed, Fig. 7.

Figure 7.

Mean of ASIS and Th10 amplitude of movement in lateral – medial pelvic motion on wobble board on bearing surface (WBB2) and wobble board (WB2).

3.4Correlation analysis

Correlation analysis was done comparing Fz, Cz and Pz electrodes PSD and amplitude of movement of ASIS and Th10 anatomical points in two different movements anterior – posterior pelvic motion as well as in lateral – medial pelvic motion on two different platforms. There were no significant correlations on wobble board. Also, we did not find any significant correlations in anterior – posterior pelvic movement.

Figure 8.

a) Correlations between theta power on electrode Pz and ASIS anatomical points amplitude of movement on WBB in lateral – medial movement. b) Correlations between theta power on electrode Pz and Th10 anatomical points amplitude of movement on WBB in lateral – medial movement.

Figure 9.

a) Correlations between alpha power on electrode Fz and ASIS anatomical points amplitude of movement on WBB in lateral – medial movement. b) Correlations between alpha power on electrode Pz and Th10 anatomical points amplitude of movement on WBB in lateral – medial movement.

However, the significant correlations displayed in Fig. 8a and b, were seen in lateral – medial movement on WBB of theta power on Pz electrode position with Th10 amplitude of movement (r= 0.789, p< 0.001), minor correlation was seen with ASIS amplitude of movement (r= 0.664, p= 0.004).

Alpha power of Fz electrode correlated with Th10 amplitude of movement in lateral – medial motion on WBB (r= 0.657, p= 0.02) as well as Cz electrode (r= 0.673, p= 0.023) Pz electrode power (r= 0.735, p= 0.001) Fig. 9a and b. Also, correlation of alpha power in lateral – medial motion was seen in ASIS amplitude of movement and Fz electrode (r= 0.718, p= 0.001).

4.Discussion

The purpose of this research was to evaluate and compare subjects’ trunk muscles activity, cortical theta and alpha activity and kinematic body segments movement in static sitting and when sitting on different platforms: simple wobble board and wobble board placed on bearing surface. Scientific literature lacks research where sitting balance was analyzed as a factor that induces cortical activity. Only in a few studies position transition from sitting to standing was analyzed [21, 22, 23, 24]. However, different sitting conditions are still little analyzed. In the present study cortical theta activity was observed on two different surfaces: wobble board and wobble board on bearing surface when performing two movements anterior – posterior and lateral – medial pelvic movements. We hypothesized that on custom made wobble board on bearing surface pelvic motions will be more challenging according to trunk muscles, cortical activity and kinematic parameters, compared with simple wobble board.

The cortical theta power showed higher activity in fronto – central and centro – parietal regions. Moreover, when two different sitting surfaces were compared: static sitting and WBB, static sitting and WB, we can see that theta activity increased on both surfaces compared with static sitting (p< 0.05), however, it could be seen that increment was higher on custom made wobble board on bearing surface (WBB), but this was not statistically significant. From the results we can see the tendency, that custom – made wobble board on bearing surface can be more challenging than simple wobble board, but it is important to note, that this tendency was not for all participants. Because of this reason it is important to adjust balance level individually. The important correlation was found between Pz electrode position of theta power and T10 (r= 0.789) and ASIS (r= 0.664) amplitude of movement in lateral – medial pelvic movement. From the correlation analysis it may be considered that the most challenging balance for individuals mostly occurs in lateral – medial movement on wobble board on bearing surface. Studies indicated that cortical theta activity increase not only in fronto – central region [25, 26, 27] but also in centro – parietal cortex [11, 7]. Also, other research showed theta wave increase during single leg stance and it was interpreted as involvement of the anterior cingulate cortex in monitoring postural instability [28, 29]. According to studies [20, 29] frequency modulation in the theta, alpha, and beta bands are related with postural instability.

Another important aspect in balance tasks occurs in alpha wave excitation. When two different sitting surfaces were compared: static sitting and WBB, static sitting and WB, it could be seen that alpha activity increased on WBB compared from static sitting (p< 0.05) in all areas, however, when WB was compared with static sitting, the significant increment was seen only in fronto – central region (p< 0.05). The highest PSD (when compared: static sitting and WBB, static sitting and WB) was seen in fronto – central area compared with others and these findings coincide with other research [30, 7] with the increase of task difficulty, the alpha activity also increases in frontal and central areas, from this point of view, the task on wobble board on bearing surface was more challenging. There was found important correlation of alpha wave on Pz (r= 0.735) electrode with Th10 amplitude of movement in lateral – medial movement on wobble board on bearing surface, minor correlation was seen on Cz electrode position (r= 0.673). This correlation reveals that amplitude of anatomical point of Th10 was the optimal, to induce with balance related center activation in cortex. Studies reported the activation of the fronto-central and centro – parietal cortex during self-initiated postural movement and unpredicted postural perturbations in standing position suggesting the supplementary motor area and the foot area of sensorimotor cortex were the possible sources in the initiating of postural movement [5, 29, 31].

The amplitude of movement of anatomical points ASIS and Th10 can be seen lower on wobble board on bearing surface compared with wobble board in anterior – posterior and lateral – medial movements (p< 0.05). The lower amplitudes of the anatomical points showed the greater physiological response and more stabilization during this movements on WBB. The experiment where balancing on wobble boards show large motion of the base of support has relatively small motion of the upper body [32]. According to amplitude of movement of anatomical points the muscles activity is higher where amplitude of movement of anatomical points are lesser. It could be because of higher efforts which were needed to do pelvic movements. Study [1] indicates the motor control challenge for the individuals is to use their lumbar spine to minimize the seat displacement, when sitting on unstable surface, with smaller movements representing better performance.

The activity increment in MF, ES and EO muscles were observed in lateral – medial movement on wobble board placed on bearing surface compared with wobble board (p< 0.05). According to study [33] motion in anterior – posterior directions shows stabilizing moment, but in medial – lateral directions authors did not see stiffness control subsequently identifying the cause of muscle(s) that could exhibit such behavior were not studied; and/or the CNS does not employ stiffness control in the medial – lateral directions. During anterior – posterior movement significantly increase only in ES muscle on wobble board placed on bearing surface. This custom-made wobble board on bearing surface can be used as training device which can be included in workplace. As can be seen from the other studies [34, 35] where dynamic chairs are used instead of basic office chairs can be seen that amount of spinal motion in sitting increases. Moreover, trunk muscles activation does not change or increases [35, 36, 37]. So, this wobble board on bearing surface which can move in anterior – posterior and lateral – medial directions can arouse trunk muscles activity especially in lateral – medial movement.

This study is not without limitations. For instance, the sample size could be bigger, also it is important to evaluate eyes-closed condition in EEG measurements, like other studies did. Further research is needed to overcome these limitations.

5.Conclusions

The results of the present study indicate a global increase in theta and alpha waves PSD when performing anterior – posterior and medial – lateral movements on wobble board and on wobble board on bearing surface, which means that the balance maintenance in sitting position on WB and WBB was challenging. However, theta and alpha waves power in medial – lateral movement on wobble board on bearing surface was found to be strongly correlated to anatomical points amplitude of movement, probably reflecting higher demands on task which evokes balance perturbation. Furthermore, lateral – medial movement on wobble board on bearing surface increase more muscles activity compared with anterior – posterior movement. As previously said, the anterior – posterior movement is more stabilizing and participants with non – specific lower back pain have impaired trunk motor control and stabilization, which less is needed in lateral – medial movement. This study provides new insights of how efficiently improve trunk motor control during hours of prolonged sitting, when neuromuscular control of pelvis and lumbar spine are affected and people with non-specific lower back pain cannot move pelvis isolated, from the findings we can see that WBB can help to feel and increase the pelvis movements. Wobble board on bearing surface could be adjusted to increase trunk muscles activity, especially for those people who have impaired neuromuscular control in lumbo-pelvic region. However, more studies need to be performed, with bigger sample size and including eyes-open, eyes-closed condition, more accurately evaluate cortical response.