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Rhythmic Movements (rhythmic + movement)
Selected AbstractsPalatal tremor in childhood: clinical and therapeutic considerationsDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 12 2006J Campistol-Plana PhD Palatal tremor (PT) is a rhythmic movement of the soft palate that often causes an ear click. PT can be symptomatic (SPT) or essential (EPT). The symptomatic form usually occurs in adults and the essential form mainly occurs in children. Several different treatments for EPT in children appear in the literature with variable reported efficacy. This report details four paediatric patients with EPT (three males, one female; mean age 6y 4mo [SD 6mo]; age at onset 6,7y) treated with piracetam (2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide). Piracetam was used to treat EPT because of its antimyoclonic properties. All children showed a good response to doses of 100 to 300mg/kg/day. EPT relapsed on withdrawal of piracetam and remitted on reintroduction. Piracetam's effect on EPT was sustained. It is concluded that piracetam is an effective drug for the treatment of EPT in children. [source] Development of dynamic stability in children's rhythmic movementDEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Eric G. James Abstract This study examined the hypothesis that the stability of rhythmic motor patterns increases with developmental age in children. Children aged 6 and 10 years and adults (18- to 23-year-olds) rocked back and forth at their preferred amplitude and frequency while seated on a wooden box placed atop a force platform. Participants performed the seated rocking task with their feet supported and unsupported. There was an age-related decrease in rocking frequency and variability of the rocking cycle period, while the stability of the rocking dynamics increased, as indexed by the standard deviation of the phase angle of center of pressure motion. The presence of foot support decreased the stability of the rocking dynamics and reduced cycle period variability in the children, but not the adults. The results revealed that increments of age are associated with an increase in the stability of rhythmic motor patterns even when environmental conditions are altered. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 51: 465,473, 2009 [source] Bimanual coordination in Parkinson's disease: Deficits in movement frequency, amplitude, and pattern switchingMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 1 2002Winston D. Byblow BHK Abstract Six patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) and six age-matched controls participated in a variety of rhythmic bimanual coordination tasks. The main goal of the task was to perform inphase or antiphase patterns of pronation and supination of the forearms at a specified tempo, and to switch from one pattern to the other upon presentation of a visual cue. The availability of advance information was varied to examine whether deficits would emerge under choice versus pre-cue constraints. In pre-cue conditions, the subjects knew in advance which hand would be cued to initiate pattern change. In choice conditions, the cued hand was not known until the imperative stimulus was presented. Overall, the PD patients made movements with significantly lower frequencies and smaller amplitudes relative to controls. Patients exhibited spontaneous pattern switching from antiphase to inphase at significantly lower movement frequencies than controls. During intentional switching trials, the control group was significantly faster at initiating pattern change. PD and control groups differed in the time to initiate pattern switching to a greater extent under choice conditions, suggesting that patients used advance information to increase the speed of their response. The control group exhibited a preference for spontaneous switching and intentional switching through the subdominant hand. Patients exhibited a switching preference using the impaired limb (whether or not it was subdominant). The control group made more correct responses when the subdominant side was either pre-cued or presented in choice conditions. The patients maintained the subdominant/impaired side advantage under pre-cue conditions but not choice. In the maintenance of rhythmic movement, individuals with PD were able to use advance information in terms of both speed and accuracy. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society. [source] Phase-dependent and task-dependent modulation of stretch reflexes during rhythmical hand tasks in humansTHE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005Ruiping Xia Phase-dependent and task-dependent modulation of reflexes has been extensively demonstrated in leg muscles during locomotory activity. In contrast, the modulation of reflex responses of hand muscles during rhythmic movement is poorly documented. The objective of this study was to determine whether comparable reflex modulation occurs in muscles controlling finger motions during rhythmic, fine-motor tasks akin to handwriting. Twelve healthy subjects performed two rhythmic tasks while reflexes were evoked by mechanical perturbations applied at various phases of each task. Electromyograms (EMGs) were recorded from four hand muscles, and reflexes were averaged during each task relative to the movement phase. Stretch reflexes in all four muscles were found to be modulated in amplitude with respect to the phase of the rhythmic tasks, and also to vary distinctly with the tasks being conducted. The extent and pattern of reflex modulation differed between muscles in the same task, and between tasks for the same muscle. Muscles with a primary role in each task showed a higher correlation between reflex response and background EMG than other muscles. The results suggest that the modulation patterns observed may reflect optimal strategies of central,peripheral interactions in controlling the performance of fine-motor tasks. As with comparable studies on locomotion, the phase-dependency of the stretch reflexes implies a dynamically fluctuating role of proprioceptive feedback in the control of the hand muscles. The clear task-dependency is also consistent with a dynamic interaction of sensory feedback and central programming, presumably adapted to facilitate the successful performance of the different fine-motor tasks. [source] Observing Position and Movements in Hydrotherapy: A Pilot StudyJOURNAL OF OBSTETRIC, GYNECOLOGIC & NEONATAL NURSING, Issue 1 2008Mary Ann Stark ABSTRACT Objective:, To observe and describe the positions and movements women choose while immersed in water during the first stage of labor. Design:, Descriptive, observational pilot study. Setting:, A rural community hospital that provided hydrotherapy in labor. Participants:, Women (N = 7) who intended to use hydrotherapy in labor were recruited prenatally from a midwife-managed practice. Measures:, For 15 minutes of each hour during the first stage of labor, position and movements of the participants were observed and recorded on a laptop computer. The observational tool was developed for this study from a review of the literature and interviews with nursing experts; 435 observations were recorded. Women were free to choose when and how long to use hydrotherapy and had no restriction on their positions and movements. Results:, Only 3 of the 7 participants labored in the tub. Women demonstrated a greater range of positions and movements in the tub than in bed, both throughout labor and during late first-stage labor (7-10 cm of dilatation). Women had more contractions and made more rhythmic movements while in the tub than in bed. Conclusions:, Hydrotherapy may encourage upright positions and movements that facilitate labor progress and coping, helping women avoid unnecessary interventions. [source] Sinusoidal heart rate pattern: Reappraisal of its definition and clinical significanceJOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 3 2004Houchang D. Modanlou Abstract Objectives: To address the clinical significance of sinusoidal heart rate (SHR) pattern and review its occurrence, define its characteristics, and explain its physiopathology. Background: In 1972, Manseau et al. and Kubli et al. described an undulating wave form alternating with a flat or smooth baseline fetal heart rate (FHR) in severely affected, Rh-sensitized and dying fetuses. This FHR pattern was called ,sinusoidal' because of its sine waveform. Subsequently, Modanlou et al. described SHR pattern associated with fetal to maternal hemorrhage causing severe fetal anemia and hydrops fetalis. Both Manseau et al. and Kubli et al. stated that this particular FHR pattern, whatever its pathogenesis, was an extremely significant finding that implied severe fetal jeopardy and impending fetal death. Undulating FHR pattern: Undulating FHR pattern may be due to the following: (1) true SHR pattern; (2) drugs; (3) pre-mortem FHR pattern; (4) pseudo-SHR pattern; and (5) equivocal FHR patterns. Fetal conditions associated with SHR pattern: SHR pattern has been reported with the following fetal conditions: (1) severe fetal anemia of several etiologies; (2) effects of drugs, particularly narcotics; (3) fetal asphyxia/hypoxia; (4) fetal infection; (5) fetal cardiac anomalies; (6) fetal sleep cycles; and (7) sucking and rhythmic movements of fetal mouth. Definition of true SHR pattern: Modanlou and Freeman proposed the following definition for the interpretation of true SHR pattern: (a) stable baseline FHR of 120,160 bpm; (b) amplitude of 5,15 bpm, rarely greater; (c) frequency of 2,5 cycles per minute; (d) fixed or flat short-term variability; (e) oscillation of the sinusoidal wave from above and below a baseline; and (f) no areas of normal FHR variability or reactivity. Physiopathology: Since its early recognition, the physiopathology of SHR became a matter of debate. Murata et al. noted a rise of arginine vasopressin levels in the blood of posthemorrhagic/anemic fetal lamb. Further works by the same authors revealed that with chemical or surgical vagotomy, arginine vasopressin infusion produced SHR pattern, thus providing the role of autonomic nervous system dysfunction combined with the increase in arginine vasopressin as the etiology. Conclusion: SHR is a rare occurrence. A true SHR is an ominous sign of fetal jeopardy needing immediate intervention. The correct diagnosis of true SHR pattern should also include fetal biophysical profile and the absence of drugs such as narcotics. [source] Sleep problems and daytime somnolence in a German population-based sample of snoring school-aged childrenJOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH, Issue 1 2007STEFFEN EITNER Summary Habitual snoring is associated with daytime symptoms like tiredness and behavioral problems. Its association with sleep problems is unclear. We aimed to assess associations between habitual snoring and sleep problems in primary school children. The design was a population-based cross-sectional study with a nested cohort study. The setting was twenty-seven primary schools in the city of Hannover, Germany. Habitual snoring and sleep problems were assessed in primary school children using an extended version of Gozal's sleep-disordered breathing questionnaire (n = 1144). Approximately 1 year later, parents of children reported to snore habitually (n = 114) and an equal number of children who snored never or occasionally were given the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children, a validated questionnaire for the assessment of pediatric sleep problems. Snoring status was re-assessed using the initial questionnaire and children were then classified as long-term habitual snorers or ex-habitual snorers. An increasing prevalence of sleep problems was found with increasing snoring frequency for sleep-onset delay, night awakenings, and nightmares. Long-term habitual snorers were at significantly increased risk for sleep,wake transition disorders (e.g. rhythmic movements, hypnic jerks, sleeptalking, bruxism; odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 12.0, 3.8,37.3), sleep hyperhidrosis (3.6, 1.2,10.8), disorders of arousal/nightmares (e.g. sleepwalking, sleep terrors, nightmares; 4.6, 1.3,15.6), and excessive somnolence (i.e. difficulty waking up, morning tiredness, daytime somnolence; 6.3, 2.2,17.8). Ex-habitual snorers were at increased risk for sleep,wake transition disorders (4.4, 1.4,14.2). Habitual snoring was associated with several sleep problems in our study. Long-term habitual snorers were more likely to have sleep problems than children who had stopped snoring spontaneously. [source] Rhythmic diel movements of pandalid shrimps in the western Mediterranean continental shelf and upper slopeJOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, Issue 4 2007J. Aguzzi Abstract In marine ecosystems, information on diel rhythmic movements of species is of importance to characterize temporal changes in the community structure. In this sense, patterns of bottom trawl catches of the pandalid caridean shrimps Chlorotocus crassicornis, Plesionika gigliolii and Plesionika martia were analysed, as a proxy of the timing and duration of their presence on the seabed, close to the autumn equinox (October) and the summer solstice (June) on the continental shelf (100 m) and the upper slope (400 m). The size structure of catches was also studied for each species to assess the possible occurrence of a modulation of rhythmic movements during ontogeny. Data showed marked diel patterns of catchability on the bottom in association with light intensity cycles in both sampling seasons and depths. Chlorotocus crassicornis on the shelf showed nocturnal peaks in catches. On the slope, Pl. gigliolii showed mainly a higher catchability at dusk and dawn, whereas the catchability of Pl. martia was mainly higher during the day time. Juveniles and adults of Pl. gigliolii and Pl. martia showed ontogenetic differences in their occurrence patterns. This phenomenon is discussed by comparing the reported catchability patterns with those of some prey species that also show rhythmic behaviour in association with the day,night cycle. [source] Association of body rolling, leg rolling, and rhythmic feet movements in a young adult: A video-polysomnographic study performed before and after one night of clonazepamMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 4 2008Giovanni Merlino MD Abstract We report clinical and polysomnographic data of a young adult affected by several forms of rhythmic movement disorder (RMD), present in the same night, including a new kind of it, known as rhythmic feet movements. The patient was monitored by means of three consecutive video-polysomnographic recordings, the first two performed to confirm the presence of the sleep disorder and the last one to observe the acute effectiveness of clonazepam on rhythmic movements. We discuss the characteristics of the RMD and the response to the first administration of pharmacological treatment, observed in our patient. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society [source] Dual task interference in psychogenic tremorMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 14 2007Hatice Kumru MD Abstract Psychogenic tremor (PT) is visually indistinguishable from voluntarily mimicked tremor. Healthy volunteers have difficulties with carrying out simultaneously two tasks due to the phenomenon known as dual task interference. Therefore, performing voluntary rhythmic movements would be a burden for carrying out fast ballistic movements with the contralateral hand. We hypothesized that, similarly to healthy volunteers performing rhythmic movements, patients with PT should show the effects of dual task interference, and this may distinguish them from patients with other types of tremor. We studied 6 patients with PT, 9 with Parkinson's disease (PD) and predominantly unilateral tremor, 11 with essential tremor (ET), and 10 normal volunteers (NV) mimicking tremor. They were requested to perform a unilateral simple reaction time task (SRT) to a visual imperative signal in two different conditions: at rest (rSRT) and during contralateral hand tremor (tSRT). Reaction time was significantly longer in tSRT than in rSRT in PT and in NV groups (P < 0.01 for both groups). However, no significant differences were observed between rSRT and tSRT in PD and ET. The delay of unilateral tSRT with respect to rSRT suggests an effect of tremorlike oscillatory movements on reaction time that is consistent with the concept of dual-task interference in NV or PT patients but not in PD or ET. These observations may be useful in the evaluation of psychogenic movement disorders. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society [source] Impaired rhythm generation in essential tremorMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 8 2006Zsuzsanna Farkas MD Abstract It has been suggested that the cerebellum plays a role in the event-based timing of synchronized repetitive movements. We hypothesized that regularity of rhythmic movements in essential tremor (ET) is impaired, since several lines of evidence suggest the involvement of the cerebellum in the pathomechanism of ET. To test this assumption, we examined the regularity and the maximum frequency of auditory paced repetitive movements at slow and fast stimulus rate in 34 ET patients. Variability of rhythmic finger tapping and alternating hand movements, defined by the standard deviation of movement offset before or after the pacing signal, was significantly higher compared to healthy controls. Timing of rhythmic movements of the two hands was disturbed to the same degree. Our results suggest a severe deficit of event-based rhythm generation on both sides in ET, supporting the presumed bilateral cerebellar dysfunction in this disorder. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society [source] Rhythmic movement disorder (head banging) in an adult during rapid eye movement sleepMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 6 2006Kirstie N. Anderson MD Abstract Sleep-related rhythmic movements (head banging or body rocking) are extremely common in normal infants and young children, but less than 5% of children over the age of 5 years old exhibit these stereotyped motor behaviors. They characteristically occur during drowsiness or sleep onset rather than in deep sleep or rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. We present a 27-year-old man with typical rhythmic movement disorder that had persisted into adult life and was restricted to REM sleep. This man is the oldest subject with this presentation reported to date and highlights the importance of recognizing this nocturnal movement disorder when it does occur in adults. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society [source] Rhythmic movement disorder and cyclic alternating pattern during sleep: A video-polysomnographic study in a 9-year-old boyMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 10 2004Raffaele Manni MD Abstract We report on polysomnographic findings in a 9-year-old boy affected by rhythmic movement disorder. The subject's rhythmic movements were found to be intimately linked to unstable nonrapid eye movement N-REM sleep, as shown by their close association with the A phases of the cyclic alternating pattern. We examine the complex interactions between arousal mechanisms and rhythmic movements occurring during sleep. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society [source] | |||||||||||||