The clinical future of muscle synergies: Goals and challenges

Abstract

The modular control of movement is a popular concept in the neurophysiologic community much less among clinicians. In clinical setting, when designing a rehab protocol for a neurologically motor disabled patient residual abilities and functions, kinematic as well as muscular tone and force parameters are among the main factors taken into account, while little consideration is given to muscles co-activation patterns. Possibly, the only parameter considered is the interplay between agonist and antagonist muscles. Muscle synergies are still far from becoming an everyday clinical tool in neurorehabilitation. Goals and challenges on the road map for adding muscle synergies to the tool-box of neurorehabilitation professionals are the focus of this presentation.