Exam 3 - theories

Question 1

What is the reflex theory?

Answer 1

• reflexes are the building blocks of complex behavior

- strings of reflexes chained together to cause the action

Question 2

Reflex theory: Limitations

Answer 2

• reflex cannot be considered the basic unit if both spontaneous and voluntary motions are acceptable classes of behavior (anticipatory movements)
• does not explain and predict movement that occurs without sensory stim
• does not explain fast moments
• fails to explain how single stim can create many responses
• does not explain ability to produce novel moments (violinist playing the cello)

Question 3

Reflex theory: Assumptions

Answer 3

• sensory input controls motor output (peripheralist)
• sensation is required for motor output
• movement is a summation of reflexes

Question 4

Reflex theory: Clinical implications

Answer 4

• should allow therapists to predict fx and facilitate fx
• mvmt behaviors interpreted in terms of presence or absence of controlling reflexes
• focus on enhancing or reducing the effects of reflexes during tasks

Question 5

What is hierarchical theory?

Answer 5

• a top down or developmental coritcalization
• voluntary control -> excitatory/inhibitory -> primitive reflexes (only present when higher centers are damaged) -> spinal reflexes

Question 6

Hierarchical: Assumptions

Answer 6

• Central systems control patterns of movement (centralist)
• top down organization
• separation of voluntary and reflexive movement

Question 7

Hierarchical: Clinical implication

Answer 7

• inhibit bad movements and facilitate good ones
• still need therapist to give external stim to inhibit or facilitate
• go back to developmental sequencing

Question 8

Hierarchical: Limitations

Answer 8

• cannot explain dominance of reflexive behavior in non-impaired adults
• development is not always step-like
• recognize that each level of NS can act on other levels (*parallel processing)
• patients are passive in rehab process

Question 9

Motor Program Theories: Limitations

Answer 9

• sensation is still very important for movements
• does not consider changes in musculoskeletal system altering motor programs
• how can there be a motor program for everything?
• movement variability results from default in the program

Question 10

What is the Motor Program Theories?

Answer 10

• that all pathways are engraved. the more you do the better it gets. Explore actions rather than reactions
• may be used to represent neural connections that are stereotyped and hardwired (i.e., CPG in cats)
• or… may be used to describe the higher-level neural connections that represent actions in more abstract terms (writing your name thing)

Question 11

Motor program theories: Assumptions

Answer 11

• specific neural circuit for a specific motor function
• general program representing actions in abstract terms are more flexible
• contain variant and invariant features (walking, handwriting)
• variability due to error in performance and learn to decrease error and variability

Question 12

Motor program theories: Clinical implications

Answer 12

• allow clinicians to move beyond, but still integrate, a reflex explanation for disordered motor control
• suggests importance for helping patients relearn the correct rules for action
• interventions should focus on retraining movements important to functional task

Question 13

What is the systems theory?

Answer 13

• suggests that mvmc must include all forces (and systems) acting on the body not just from the nervous system.
• looks at body as a mechanical system (with mass and subject to both internal and external forces)
• has synergies (hierarchical control) and degrees of freedom (any part of system that can be altered.)

Question 14

Systems theory: Assumptions

Answer 14

• interaction of all systems to control behavior to achieve task goals
• adaptive, anticipatory *
• synergies and coordinative structures

Question 15

System theory: Clinical implications

Answer 15

• stresses importance of understanding the body as a mechanical system and their interactions
• motions emerge from the interaction of systems
• focus on task goals
• variety of environments and contexts

Question 16

System theory: limitations

Answer 16

• difficult defining efficient and effective
• not a lot of “hands on”
• no unique solution
• does not focus as heavily on interaction of organism with environment as other theories

Question 17

What is dynamical action theory?

Answer 17

• very similar to system
• when a system of indiv. parts comes together, its elements behave collectively in an ordered way = self organization
• non-linear system ( input not always equal to output)
• control parameters, inherent variability.

Question 18

Control parameters: (dynamic action theory)

Answer 18

new mvmt emerges due to a critical change in one of the systems. Walk, walk faster, run…

Question 19

Dynamic action: clinical implications

Answer 19

• mvmt is an emergent property and has variability
• understand more of physical or dynamic properties of the human body, clinicians can make use of them to regain motor control
• rapid shift of behavior once all subsystems reach critical level (variability does not mean error)

Question 20

Dynamic action: limitations

Answer 20

• nervous system does not work in isolation
• consider the mechanics of movement
• relationship btw physical system and environment primarily determines behavior

Question 21

Dynamic action: Assumptions

Answer 21

• self organization is the collective behavior of individual parts
• output is not always equal to input
• new mvmc emerges due to critical change in one system (control parameter)
• inherent variability needed for optimal function

Question 22

Ecological theory: Assumptions

Answer 22

• actions require perceptual info that is specific to a desired goal-directed action within a specific environment

Question 23

Ecological theory: Clinical implications

Answer 23

• indiv. is an active explorer of environment
• indiv. can develop multiple ways to accomplish task
• adaptability is important

Question 24

What is ecological theory?

Answer 24

• a perception action system that explores the environment to satisfy its own goals.
• how are actions geared towards the environment.

Question 25

Ecological theory: Limitations

Answer 25

-not a lot of influence of the nervous system of indiv

Question 26

Muscle re-ed (models things)

Answer 26

• appropriate during polio epidemic and with LMN or mm disorders
• strengthening exercises
• facilitation of weak mm

Question 27

Neurofacilitation (what is and what models does it link with)

Answer 27

• retraining motor control through techniques designed to facilitate and/or inhibit different movement patterns.
• associated with both the reflex and hierarchical theories of motor control

Question 28

Neurofacilitation: Assumptions

Answer 28

• functional skills will automatically return once abnormal patterns are inhibited and normal patterns are facilitated
• repeated normal movement patterns will automatically transfer to functional tasks

Question 29

Task analysis and assumptions

Answer 29

• movement is organized around a behavioral goal and is constrained by environment
• patient learns by actively attempting to solve the problems rather than repetitively practicing patterns

Assume: training and repeating task that they will learn.