A Systematic Review on Muscle Synergies: From Building Blocks of Motor Behavior to a Neurorehabilitation Tool

Applied Bionics and Biomechanics
Rajat Emanuel SinghTarun Edgar Hutchinson

Abstract

The central nervous system (CNS) is believed to utilize specific predefined modules, called muscle synergies (MS), to accomplish a motor task. Yet questions persist about how the CNS combines these primitives in different ways to suit the task conditions. The MS hypothesis has been a subject of debate as to whether they originate from neural origins or nonneural constraints. In this review article, we present three aspects related to the MS hypothesis: (1) the experimental and computational evidence in support of the existence of MS, (2) algorithmic approaches for extracting them from surface electromyography (EMG) signals, and (3) the possible role of MS as a neurorehabilitation tool. We note that recent advances in computational neuroscience have utilized the MS hypothesis in motor control and learning. Prospective advances in clinical, medical, and engineering sciences and in fields such as robotics and rehabilitation stand to benefit from a more thorough understanding of MS.

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Citations

Jan 26, 2020·Motor Control·Mark L Latash
Sep 20, 2019·Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation·Antonino NaroRocco Salvatore Calabrò
Jan 31, 2020·Frontiers in Psychology·Lluc MontullNatàlia Balagué
Sep 29, 2020·Frontiers in Neurology·Isabella CampaniniRoberto Merletti
Dec 13, 2019·Journal of Healthcare Engineering·Kunkun ZhaoJiankang Wu
Jun 11, 2020·Sensors·Ilaria MiletiAntonio Suppa
Jan 27, 2021·European Journal of Applied Physiology·Nicolas A TurpinGeorges Dalleau
Jan 21, 2021·Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology·Paulo D G SantosPedro Pezarat-Correia
Apr 9, 2021·Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation·Sung Yul ShinHyung-Soon Park
May 28, 2021·Frontiers in Human Neuroscience·Margit M BachNadia Dominici
May 9, 2021·The Journal of Physiology·Christopher M LaineFrancisco J Valero-Cuevas
Oct 5, 2021·Advanced Materials·Ali NawazPrashant Sonar

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
biopsy
PCA

Software Mentioned

pICA
NNMF

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