Dynamic variability of isometric action tremor in precision pinching.
Evolutionary development of isometric force impulse frequencies, power, and the directional concordance of changes in oscillatory tremor during performance of a two-digit force regulation task was examined. Analyses compared a patient group having tremor confounding volitional force regulation with a control group having no neuropathological diagnosis. Dependent variables for tremor varied temporally and spatially, both within individual trials and across trials, across individuals, across groups, and between digits. Particularly striking findings were magnitude increases during approaches to cue markers and shifts in the concordance phase from pinching toward rigid sway patterns as the magnitude increased. Magnitudes were significantly different among trace line segments of the task and were characterized by differences in relative force required and by the task progress with respect to cue markers for beginning, reversing force change direction, or task termination. The main systematic differences occurred during cue marker approach and were independent of trial sequence order.
Motor Behavior Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, Mail Stop D3700, Austin, TX 78712, USA. eakin@austin.utexas.edu
Tim
T
Eakin
Waneen
W
Spirduso
Karen L
KL
Francis
D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005385:Fingers / Q000502:physiology; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009991:Oscillometry / Q000379:methods; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013997:Time Factors; D014202:Tremor