Effects of muscle facilitation on motor activity and tactile perception

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in muscle activity and tactile perception ability through muscle facilitation

The subjects of this study was consisted of 51 adults (26 males, 25 females) and randomly assigned to 26 experimental and 25 control groups. In both groups, a moving two-point discrimination test was performed on middle trapezius, upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, and posterior deltoid. In the experimental group, muscle facilitation was performed for activation of the back muscle. In addition, EMG was used for the two groups to compare before and after muscle activation to the middle trapezius, upper trapezius, and posterior deltoid. after those muscles were re-tested to two-point discrimination.

In this study, it was found that the muscle facilitation promoted the increase of muscle activity and the sensitivity of two-point discrimination due to simultaneous activation of the motorcortex and sensory cortex (p <.001*). It was also found that activation through muscle stimulation affects the same spinal level as well due to the change in the tactile perception ability of the sternocleidomastoid along the same nerve branch of the middle trapezius.(p <.0.041*).

This can interpret that muscle facilitation leads to changes in muscle activation and changes in tactile perception ability. Therefore, the results of this are expected to be the basis for future improvement of motor function and sensory function in patients with brain injuries or those with low function.