Visualization of trunk muscle synergies during sitting perturbations using self-organizing maps (SOM)

IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2012 Sep;59(9):2516-23. doi: 10.1109/TBME.2012.2205577. Epub 2012 Jun 21.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the use of the self-organizing map (SOM) method for visualization, modeling, and comparison of trunk neuromuscular synergies during perturbed sitting. Thirteen participants were perturbed at the level of the sternum, in eight directions during sitting. Electromyographic (EMG) responses of ten trunk muscles involved in postural control were recorded. The SOM was used to encode the EMG responses on a 2-D projection (i.e., visualization). The result contains similar patterns mapped close together on the plot therefore forming clusters of data. Such visualization of ten EMG responses, following eight directional perturbations, allows for comparisons of direction-dependent postural synergies. Direction-dependent neuromuscular response models for each muscle were then constructed from the SOM visualization. The results demonstrated that the SOM was able to encode neuromuscular responses, and the SOM visualization showed direction-dependent differences in the postural synergies. Moreover, each muscle was modeled using the SOM-based method, and derived models showed that all muscles, except for one, produced a Gaussian fit for direction-dependent responses. Overall, SOM analysis offers a reverse engineering method for exploration and comparison of complex neuromuscular systems, which can describe postural synergies at a glance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Electromyography / methods*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
  • Posture / physiology*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Torso / physiology*