Preprint · Jan 2026
Multimodal Electrophysiology and Kinematic Quantification of Chronic Musculoskeletal Strain in Older Adults
By Hu, Li, Zhuang Y et al.
Chronic Musculoskeletal Strain (CMS) is common among older adults and is associated with pain and functional impairment in the neck, shoulder, lumbar, and knee regions. Current clinical assessment relies heavily on subjective pain ratings and clinical scales, while objective quantitative assessment and risk-screening methods remain limited. This observational study recruits adults aged 60 to 70 years, including participants with CMS and healthy controls. The study combines a cross-sectional baseline assessment with longitudinal telephone follow-up. Baseline assessments include resting-state recording (EEG, EMG), electrical-evoked pain tasks (EEG, EMG, pain ratings), region-specific motor tasks (EEG, EMG, kinematics, pain ratings), pain and function ratings, and relevant questionnaires. Follow-up assessments at 30, 60, 90, 180, 360, 540, and 720 days after baseline will track pain severity and region-specific functional status. The purpose of this study is to develop a multimodal objective assessment framework for CMS in older adults, comprising (1) a cross-sectional model for quantitative assessment of CMS status based on electrophysiological and kinematic features and (2) a longitudinal model for predicting poor long-term pain and functional outcomes based on baseline electrophysiological and kinematic features.