title: Modulation of the sensorimotor system by sustained manual pressure stimulation.
abstract: In Vojta physiotherapy, also known as reflex locomotion therapy, prolonged peripheral pressure stimulation induces complex generalized involuntary motor responses and modifies subsequent behavior, but its neurobiological basis remains unknown. We hypothesized that the stimulation would induce sensorimotor activation changes in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during sequential finger opposition. Thirty healthy volunteers (mean age 24.2) underwent two randomized fMRI sessions involving manual pressure stimulation applied either at the right lateral heel according to Vojta, or at the right lateral ankle (control site). Participants were scanned before and after the stimulation when performing auditory-paced sequential finger opposition with their right hand. Despite an extensive activation decrease following both stimulation paradigms, the stimulation of the heel specifically led to an increase in task-related activation in the predominantly contralateral pontomedullary reticular formation and bilateral posterior cerebellar hemisphere and vermis. Our findings suggest that sustained pressure stimulation of the foot is associated with differential short-term changes in hand motor task-related activation depending on the stimulation. This is the first evidence for brainstem modulation after peripheral pressure stimulation, suggesting that the after-effects of reflex locomotion physiotherapy involve a modulation of the pontomedullary reticular formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, I. P. Pavlova 185/6, Olomouc CZ-77520, Czech Republic; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Olomouc, I. P. Pavlova 185/6, Olomouc CZ-77520, Czech Republic. Electronic address: pavel.hok@upol.cz.
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hok
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky University Olomouc, tř. Míru 671/117, Olomouc CZ-77111, Czech Republic. Electronic address: jaroslav.opavsky@upol.cz.
authors.forename: Jaroslav
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Opavský
authors.affiliation: KM KINEPRO PLUS s.r.o., Horní lán 1328/6, Olomouc CZ-77900, Czech Republic; Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Palacky University Olomouc, Hněvotínská 976/3, Olomouc CZ-77515, Czech Republic. Electronic address: mirek.kutin@kinepro.cz.
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kutín
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, I. P. Pavlova 185/6, Olomouc CZ-77520, Czech Republic; Department of Radiology, University Hospital Olomouc, I. P. Pavlova 185/6, Olomouc CZ-77520, Czech Republic. Electronic address: zbynek.tudos@fnol.cz.
authors.forename: Zbyněk
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tüdös
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, I. P. Pavlova 185/6, Olomouc CZ-77520, Czech Republic; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Olomouc, I. P. Pavlova 185/6, Olomouc CZ-77520, Czech Republic. Electronic address: petr.kanovsky@fnol.cz.
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kaňovský
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, I. P. Pavlova 185/6, Olomouc CZ-77520, Czech Republic; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Olomouc, I. P. Pavlova 185/6, Olomouc CZ-77520, Czech Republic. Electronic address: phlustik@upol.cz.
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hluštík
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011312:Pressure; D066191:Sensorimotor Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: brainstem; cerebellum; functional magnetic resonance imaging; movement; neurophysiotherapy; physical stimulation