Coordination Flashcards
What is coordination?
- the ability to produce accurate and controlled movement
- smooth, rhythmical interaction of muscle function
characteristics of coordination
- controlled by cerebellum influenced by extra-pyramidal system
- all neurotransmitters must be intact
- requires contraction of correct agonist muscles and simultaneous relaxation of correct antagonist muscles, together with joint fixators and synergist muscles
- in addition: proprioception, body scheme, ability to judge space and direct body parts through space to target
What is the extrapyramidal system?
- part of motor system involved in maintaining equilibrium, muscle tone, posture, coordination and reflexes (involuntary)
- a set of symptoms called extrapyramidal symptoms can occur e.g. after intake of drugs or substances
what are coordinated movements characterized by?
- smoothness
- rhythm
- appropriate speed
- sequenced
- appropriate muscle tension
- appropriate postural tone
- equilibrium
- refinement of minimal number of muscle groups
categories of coordination
hand/ and bilateral - clapping - typing hand/ eye - catching a large ball - threading a needle hand (unilateral) - beating in time - typing with one hand hand/ foot - sewing with electrical machine - drop a small ball and kick foot/ foot - walking - dancing foot/ eye - kicking a large ball - kicking a ball through narrow post
describe coordination between body parts
unilateral - move left arm and right arm separately bilateral - move both arms together, then legs - move left arm and leg contra-lateral - left arm and right leg
define fine coordination
smooth and harmonious action of groups of muscles working together to produce a desired motion
what are fine motor skills
the ability to use the eyes, hands and fingers together in carrying out precise movements that are necessary for performing a variety of activities
what do fine motor skills consist of?
- grips/ grasps
- eye-hand coordination
- bilateral hand function
- in-hand manipulation
what is in-hand manipulation?
the adjustment of objects in the hand after grasp without the help of the other hand.
- consists of translation (palm to finger, finger to palm), shift , simple (rolling or turning an object on the finger pads at approximately 90 degrees or less (opening a bottle)) and complex rotation (rotation of an object 180-360 degrees once or repetitively)
what is eye-hand coordination?
the ability of the visual system to coordinate the information received from the brain through the eyes to guide, control and direct hands in executing a task such as writing, cutting and threading
what is bilateral coordination?
- the integration of skillful use of the two sides of the body
- bilateral hand function is the use of both hands together to accomplish an activity
+ both hands in the same direction
+ hands in opposite directions
+ one hand supportive
+ hands different direction
+ foot-foot
what is ‘shift’ in in-hand manipulation?
linear movement of an object on finger surface to allow for repositioning of the object on the pads of the fingers
- lacing, buttoning
describe incoordination
- extraneous, uneven or inaccurate movement
- irregularity in rate of movement
- excessive force
- incorrect sequencing
- sudden corrective movement
what are causes of incoordination?
- cerebellar disorders
- extra-pyramidal disorders
- non-cerebellar causes
+ injuries to muscles and peripheral nerves
+ lesions of the posterior columns of the spinal cord
+ lesions of the frontal and post central cerebral cortex - abnormal muscle tone
+ hyper-tonicity
+ hypotonia
+ fluctuation tone
what are the assessment principles for coordination?
- allow sequence e.g. proximal-distal and gross to fine
- stabilize joints proximal to distal during functional tasks, note differences in client performance ( can try weights - note affect)
- proximal stability= distal mobility
- cautious where there is serious coordination problems due to increased risk of falling
- assess muscle tone and joint mobility first
- ensure client is emotionally calm, anxiety may impact on client’s performance
common signs of cerebellum dysfunction?
- ataxia
- dysdiachokinesis
- dysmetria
- dyssynergia
- rebound phenomenon of holmes
- nystagmus
- dysarthria
what is the function of the cerebellum?
coordination of voluntary movement, resulting in smooth, and balanced muscular activity
define dysdiadochokinesis
- inability to perform rapid alternating movements such as pronation and supination
- preston test: count cycles ( full repetition of pronation and supination) in 10 sec time frame, test unaffected first
define dysmetria
inability to control muscle length which results in overshooting or pointing past an object
define dyssynergia
decomposition of movement. The lack of synergic action between agonists and antagonists produce jerky movements
define nystagmus
- involuntary movement of eyeballs ( up-and-down, back-and-forth, or rotating direction)
- it interferes with head control and fine adjustments required for balance
define dysarthria
explosive or slurred speech caused by incoordination of the speech mechanism
define ataxia
delayed initiation of movement responses, errors in range and force of movement, errors in rete and regularity of movement
what is ataxic gait?
staggering, wide-based gait wit reduced or no arm swing. Step-length uneven, tendency to fall
what is rebound phenomenon of holmes
lack of ‘check reflexes’ to stop the motion to avoid striking something
what characterizes extrapyramidal disorders?
hypokinesia
- difficulty initiating movement
hyperkinesia
- restless, unable to remain still
what are examples of extrapyramidal disorders?
- chorea
- athetoid movements
- dystonia
- ballism
- tremor
define athetoid movements
continuous, slow, wormlike arrhythmic movements, primarily affect the distal portions of the extremities, same pattern in same individual and not present during sleep (cerebral anoxia, Wilson’s disease)
define dystonia
persistent posturing of the extremities e.g. hyperextension of wrist, often seen in conjunction with spasticity
define chorea
irregular, jerky, quick, purposeless, involuntary movements of variable distribution. May occur during sleep ( Huntington’s disease)
define ballism
unilateral violent, forceful, sudden flinging movements of the axial and proximal musculature
- it usually occurs on one side of the body (hemiballism)
define tremors
resting
- occurs at rest, stops at initiation of voluntary movement ( disease of basal ganglia e.g. Parkinson’s)
intention
- occurs during voluntary movement, client may have difficulty performing tasks that require accuracy and precision of limb placement e.g. drinking from a cup
essential family
- inherited and visible when fine precision tasks are being carried out
define bradykinesia
poverty of movement
what is posterior column dysfunction?
- romberg sign
+ inability to maintain standing balance with feet together and eyes closed (count seconds)
+ loss of balance is a positive sign of romberg’s sign
conditions where incoordination may occur
- parkinson’s disease
- amputations
- burns-around joints
- poor vision
- multiple sclerosis
- upper motor neuron problems e.g. CVA and head injury
- lower motor neuron injuries: brachial plexus, medial nerve, ulnar or radial nerve
