Neural Plasticity in Spinal and Corticospinal Pathways Induced by Balance Training in Neurologically Intact Adults: A Systematic Review
Balance training, defined here as training of postural equilibrium, improves postural control and reduces the rate of falls especially in older adults. This systematic review aimed to determine the neuroplasticity induced by such training in younger (18–30 years old) and older adults (≥65 years old)...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Human Neuroscience |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2022.921490/full |
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| author | Yao Sun Caitlin L. Hurd Michelle M. Barnes Jaynie F. Yang Jaynie F. Yang |
| author_facet | Yao Sun Caitlin L. Hurd Michelle M. Barnes Jaynie F. Yang Jaynie F. Yang |
| author_sort | Yao Sun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Balance training, defined here as training of postural equilibrium, improves postural control and reduces the rate of falls especially in older adults. This systematic review aimed to determine the neuroplasticity induced by such training in younger (18–30 years old) and older adults (≥65 years old). We focused on spinal and corticospinal pathways, as studied with electrophysiology, in people without neurological or other systemic disorders. We were specifically interested in the change in the excitability of these pathways before and after training. Searches were conducted in four databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Embase. A total of 1,172 abstracts were screened, and 14 articles were included. Quality of the studies was evaluated with the Downs and Black checklist. Twelve of the studies measured spinal reflexes, with ten measuring the soleus H-reflex. The H-reflex amplitude was consistently reduced in younger adults after balance training, while mixed results were found in older adults, with many showing an increase in the H-reflex after training. The differences in results between studies of younger vs. older adults may be related to the differences in their H-reflexes at baseline, with older adults showing much smaller H-reflexes than younger adults. Five studies measured corticospinal and intracortical excitability using transcranial magnetic stimulation. Younger adults showed reduced corticospinal excitability and enhanced intracortical inhibition after balance training. Two studies on older adults reported mixed results after training. No conclusions could be drawn for corticospinal and intracortical plasticity given the small number of studies. Overall, balance training induced measurable change in spinal excitability, with different changes seen in younger compared to older adults. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T12:57:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fa1256654e8d49c79e5ef1c140c71b22 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-5161 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T12:57:13Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Human Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-fa1256654e8d49c79e5ef1c140c71b222022-12-22T02:46:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Human Neuroscience1662-51612022-08-011610.3389/fnhum.2022.921490921490Neural Plasticity in Spinal and Corticospinal Pathways Induced by Balance Training in Neurologically Intact Adults: A Systematic ReviewYao Sun0Caitlin L. Hurd1Michelle M. Barnes2Jaynie F. Yang3Jaynie F. Yang4Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CanadaDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CanadaDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CanadaDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CanadaNeuroscience & Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CanadaBalance training, defined here as training of postural equilibrium, improves postural control and reduces the rate of falls especially in older adults. This systematic review aimed to determine the neuroplasticity induced by such training in younger (18–30 years old) and older adults (≥65 years old). We focused on spinal and corticospinal pathways, as studied with electrophysiology, in people without neurological or other systemic disorders. We were specifically interested in the change in the excitability of these pathways before and after training. Searches were conducted in four databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Embase. A total of 1,172 abstracts were screened, and 14 articles were included. Quality of the studies was evaluated with the Downs and Black checklist. Twelve of the studies measured spinal reflexes, with ten measuring the soleus H-reflex. The H-reflex amplitude was consistently reduced in younger adults after balance training, while mixed results were found in older adults, with many showing an increase in the H-reflex after training. The differences in results between studies of younger vs. older adults may be related to the differences in their H-reflexes at baseline, with older adults showing much smaller H-reflexes than younger adults. Five studies measured corticospinal and intracortical excitability using transcranial magnetic stimulation. Younger adults showed reduced corticospinal excitability and enhanced intracortical inhibition after balance training. Two studies on older adults reported mixed results after training. No conclusions could be drawn for corticospinal and intracortical plasticity given the small number of studies. Overall, balance training induced measurable change in spinal excitability, with different changes seen in younger compared to older adults.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2022.921490/fullpostural controlpostural equilibriumexercisespinal reflexescorticospinal excitability |
| spellingShingle | Yao Sun Caitlin L. Hurd Michelle M. Barnes Jaynie F. Yang Jaynie F. Yang Neural Plasticity in Spinal and Corticospinal Pathways Induced by Balance Training in Neurologically Intact Adults: A Systematic Review Frontiers in Human Neuroscience postural control postural equilibrium exercise spinal reflexes corticospinal excitability |
| title | Neural Plasticity in Spinal and Corticospinal Pathways Induced by Balance Training in Neurologically Intact Adults: A Systematic Review |
| title_full | Neural Plasticity in Spinal and Corticospinal Pathways Induced by Balance Training in Neurologically Intact Adults: A Systematic Review |
| title_fullStr | Neural Plasticity in Spinal and Corticospinal Pathways Induced by Balance Training in Neurologically Intact Adults: A Systematic Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neural Plasticity in Spinal and Corticospinal Pathways Induced by Balance Training in Neurologically Intact Adults: A Systematic Review |
| title_short | Neural Plasticity in Spinal and Corticospinal Pathways Induced by Balance Training in Neurologically Intact Adults: A Systematic Review |
| title_sort | neural plasticity in spinal and corticospinal pathways induced by balance training in neurologically intact adults a systematic review |
| topic | postural control postural equilibrium exercise spinal reflexes corticospinal excitability |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2022.921490/full |
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