title: Fast increase of motor cortical inhibition following postural changes in healthy subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Postural reactions are associated with changes in the excitability of the motor system. In the present study we investigated the presence of neurophysiological changes of motor cortical areas targeting muscles of the inferior limbs following treatment with a physiotherapy technique aimed to treat postural dysfunctions by stretching postural muscles, global postural reeducation (GPR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty healthy subjects were evaluated with paired-transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the motor cortex and recording of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) from peripheral muscles of the inferior limb before and after two GPR manoeuvres applied in different experiments (1 and 2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The effects of GPR were posture- and task-specific: indeed, a GPR manoeuvre applied in standing subjects increased inhibition in cortical areas controlling flexor muscles (Biceps Femoris: p<0.05) while increasing the excitation of cortical areas controlling extensor muscles (Tibialis Anterior: p<0.05). On the other hand, following a GPR manoeuvre applied in subjects in supine position, increased inhibition in cortical areas controlling flexor muscles (Biceps Femoris and Soleus) was not paralleled by excitation of extensor ones (F=12.2; p=0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings provide a neurophysiological basis to the clinical benefits associated to physiotherapy and suggest potential applications of treatments based on postural changes on motor cortical disorders.
authors.affiliation: Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Rome, Italy. massimiliano.oliveri@unipa.it
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oliveri
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caltagirone
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Loriga
authors.forename: Maria Novella
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Pompa
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Versace
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Souchard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000379:methods*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult