@article{FarinelliPalmisanoMarcheseetal.2020, author = {Farinelli, Veronica and Palmisano, Chiara and Marchese, Silvia Maria and Strano, Camilla Mirella Maria and D'Arrigo, Stefano and Pantaleoni, Chiara and Ardissone, Anna and Nardocci, Nardo and Esposti, Roberto and Cavallari, Paolo}, title = {Postural control in children with cerebellar ataxia}, series = {Applied Sciences}, volume = {10}, journal = {Applied Sciences}, number = {5}, issn = {2076-3417}, doi = {10.3390/app10051606}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200692}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Controlling posture, i.e., governing the ensemble of involuntary muscular activities that manage body equilibrium, represents a demanding function in which the cerebellum plays a key role. Postural activities are particularly important during gait initiation when passing from quiet standing to locomotion. Indeed, several studies used such motor task for evaluating pathological conditions, including cerebellar disorders. The linkage between cerebellum maturation and the development of postural control has received less attention. Therefore, we evaluated postural control during quiet standing and gait initiation in children affected by a slow progressive generalized cerebellar atrophy (SlowP) or non-progressive vermian hypoplasia (Joubert syndrome, NonP), compared to that of healthy children (H). Despite the similar clinical evaluation of motor impairments in NonP and SlowP, only SlowP showed a less stable quiet standing and a shorter and slower first step than H. Moreover, a descriptive analysis of lower limb and back muscle activities suggested a more severe timing disruption in SlowP. Such differences might stem from the extent of cerebellar damage. However, literature reports that during childhood, neural plasticity of intact brain areas could compensate for cerebellar agenesis. We thus proposed that the difference might stem from disease progression, which contrasts the consolidation of compensatory strategies.}, language = {en} } @article{FadilliogluKanusMoehleretal.2022, author = {Fadillioglu, Cagla and Kanus, Lisa and M{\"o}hler, Felix and Ringhof, Steffen and Schindler, Hans J. and Stein, Thorsten and Hellmann, Daniel}, title = {Influence of controlled masticatory muscle activity on dynamic reactive balance}, series = {Journal of Oral Rehabilitation}, volume = {49}, journal = {Journal of Oral Rehabilitation}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1111/joor.13284}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-262436}, pages = {327 -- 336}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Background The influence of the stomatognatic system on human posture control has been investigated under static conditions, but the effects on dynamic balance have not yet been considered. Objective Investigating the influence of different functional stomatognatic activities (jaw clenching (JAW), tongue pressing (TON) and habitual jaw position (HAB)) on postural performance during a dynamic reactive balance task. Methods Forty-eight physically active and healthy adults were assigned to three groups differing in oral-motor tasks (JAW, TON or HAB). Dynamic reactive balance was assessed by an oscillating platform which was externally perturbed in four directions. Performance was quantified by means of Lehr's damping ratio. Mean speeds of the selected anatomical regions (head, trunk, pelvis, knee and foot) were analysed to determine significant performance differences. Results The groups differed significantly in balance performance in direction F (i.e., forwards acceleration of the platform). Post hoc tests revealed that the JAW group had significantly better performance compared with both the HAB and TON groups. Better performance was associated with a decreased mean speed of the analysed anatomical regions. Conclusion JAW can improve dynamic reactive balance but the occurrence of positive effects seems to be task-specific and not general. TON seems not to have any observable effects on dynamic reactive balance performance, at least when evaluating it with an oscillating platform. JAW might be a valuable strategy which could possibly reduce the risk of falls in elderly people; however, further investigations are still needed.}, language = {en} }