Towards human motor augmentation by voluntary decoupling beta activity in the neural drive to muscle and force production
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Braecklein, M
Ibanez, J
Barsakcioglu, DY
Farina, D
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Objective. Effective human motor augmentation should rely on biological signals that can be volitionally modulated without compromising natural motor control. Approach. We provided human subjects with real-time information on the power of two separate spectral bands of the spiking activity of motor neurons innervating the tibialis anterior muscle: the low-frequency band (<7 Hz), which is directly translated into natural force control, and the beta band (13–30 Hz), which is outside the dynamics of the neuromuscular system. Main Results. Subjects could gain control over the powers in these two bands to navigate a cursor towards specific targets in a 2D space (experiment 1) and to up- and down-modulate beta activity while keeping steady force contractions (experiment 2). Significance. Results indicate that beta projections to the spinal motor neuron pool can be voluntarily controlled partially decoupled from natural muscle contractions and, therefore, they could be valid control signals for implementing effective human motor augmentation platforms.
Date Issued
2021-02-01
Date Acceptance
2020-11-25
Citation
Journal of Neural Engineering, 2021, 18 (1)
ISSN
1741-2560
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Neural Engineering
Volume
18
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2021 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd Original content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000621477100001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=a2bf6146997ec60c407a63945d4e92bb
Subjects
beta oscillations
Engineering
Engineering, Biomedical
human augmentation
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
motor neurons
Neurosciences
Neurosciences & Neurology
real-time decomposition
Science & Technology
Technology
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
England
Article Number
016001
Date Publish Online
2021-02-11