srt zeptoring® is based on one of the most important functions of the human nervous system: Through numerous receptors (sensors) in the muscles, tendons, skin, joints, etc., people are able to determine the position of their body or individual parts of their body, i.e. whether they are standing or sitting, for example, or whether and how they are moving.
If the receptors always report the same thing, e.g. if the body does not move or moves uniformly, these messages (information) become uninteresting for the brain. However, if constantly changing, new messages are generated, the brain is activated. At the same time, it is trained to process this new information as quickly and efficiently as possible. The better this works, the better the muscles can be controlled by the brain.
Stochastic resonance therapy follows the law of physics, according to which signals are better understood by the body (the cells) if these signals (stimuli) are “noisy”. A characteristic bundle of vibrational stimuli is directed into the body. A weak basic stimulus (carrier signal) is amplified by so-called “noise” (chaotic additional signal).
The constant but unpredictable change in the stochastic resonance signals leads to constant, minor disturbances of the equilibrium.
With repetition, people learn to generate muscular activation patterns in order to compensate for the disruptive influences as successfully as possible. If the movement stimuli were always the same (e.g. sinusoidal vibrations in vibration training devices), the responses of the receptors in the muscles, tendons and joints would also always be the same and the information would be of no interest to the brain. Furthermore, sinusoidal vibrations only train a very narrow activation pattern that hardly meets the variable demands of everyday life.
Nerve cell model that is stimulated with sinusoidal signals (O) or SR signals (▲). While sinusoidal stimuli remain subliminal, action potentials are triggered by stochastic resonances
In addition, the stochastic resonance signals interact with equally stochastic functional parameters of the nervous system, resulting in resonance-like behavior. The stochastic part of stochastic resonance signals enters into a short-term quasi-resonance with the stochastic behavior of the nerve cell. In contrast to a linear signal, this makes it easier for nerve cells to exceed stimulus thresholds. In this way, even low stimulus intensities are perceived by the patient and neuromuscular activity is generated.
There is also evidence that peripheral stimulation can lead to biochemical reactions in supraspinal structures. Stimulation of the muscle spindles, which are highly sensitive to stochastic resonance stimuli, can lead to the release of neurotrophic factors such as dopamine. [Fallon et al. 2004] These substances fulfill neuroprotective and neurorestorative functions in particular, creating potential for better control and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, MS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
During a srt zeptoring® training session, you stand on the two foot plates of the Srt Zeptor medical plus noise®. These move differently and in all dimensions (forwards/backwards, right/left, upwards/downwards). This constantly throws you off balance. The disturbance of balance is stochastic and randomized. This means that the basic frequency of the two surfaces is constantly changing and cannot be predicted. This fundamental frequency is additionally superimposed by disturbing influences (noise). The trainee learns to react effectively to these disturbances. As a result, movements in everyday life and sport can be carried out better as the ability to react is improved.
The respective training intensities are individually tailored to the training condition. The program sequences have been adapted to the individual objectives based on scientific studies.
In order for a movement to be executed, our brain must pass on information or commands to our muscles. Conversely, information about how a movement was carried out is passed back to the brain via the receptors.
An example: When we want to touch an object, our brain gives the necessary commands to our respective muscle groups. Once the object has been grasped, the various receptors, e.g. the skin receptors of the fingers, report this back to the brain. This is where the action is evaluated – successful or unsuccessful – and the movement sequence is stored. The correct evaluation and subsequent storage are important components of learning movement sequences (motor learning).
In the brain, the evaluation and storage takes place through the release of neurotransmitters (messenger substances). The neurotransmitter dopamine is of crucial importance here.
The brain reacts to new demands/situations by releasing dopamine. This prepares certain areas of the brain – e.g. the so-called supplementary motor area – to process this new situation in the best possible way. Dopamine therefore functions like an activator or starter.
The stochastic-randomized stimuli of srt zeptoring® constantly create new situations and enable the brain to react optimally to subsequent demands and tasks. This type of stochastic-randomized stimulation is particularly successful in diseases that are characterized by a disorder of dopamine release and reduced activity in the supplementary motor area, such as Parkinson’s disease or depression.
Although walking seems simple, the control processes involved are very complex. In order not to place too much strain on our brain during walking, an important part of our walking ability is outsourced to the spinal cord. A network of nerve cells, the so-called central pattern generator (CPG), ensures rhythmic and reciprocal activation of the leg muscles largely independently of the brain. This activation pattern is highly significant for walking.
The srt zeptoring® activates this nerve cell network and thus promotes our ability to walk. This is particularly important for patients in whom the connection between the brain and leg muscles is impaired, such as stroke patients or people with spinal lesions.
The cerebellum plays an important role in the timing of movement sequences in our brain. After a stroke or traumatic brain injury, damage and deficits are often recorded here.
The stochastic-randomized and thus temporally variable character of srt zeptoring® contributes to the reactivation of the cerebellum. This improves the timing of various movement sequences and thus ensures movement safety. Various studies have shown that reactivation of the cerebellum significantly increases the success of rehabilitation.
