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Arpaia P, Cuocolo R, Fullin A, Gargiulo L, Mancino F, Moccaldi N, Vallefuoco E, De Blasiis P. Executive Functions Assessment Based on Wireless EEG and 3D Gait Analysis During Dual-Task: A Feasibility Study. IEEE JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL ENGINEERING IN HEALTH AND MEDICINE 2024; 12:268-278. [PMID: 38410182 PMCID: PMC10896422 DOI: 10.1109/jtehm.2024.3357287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Executive functions (EFs) are neurocognitive processes planning and regulating daily life actions. Performance of two simultaneous tasks, requiring the same cognitive resources, lead to a cognitive fatigue. Several studies investigated cognitive-motor task and the interference during walking, highlighting an increasing risk of falls especially in elderly and people with neurological diseases. A few studies instrumentally explored relationship between activation-no-activation of two EFs (working memory and inhibition) and spatial-temporal gait parameters. Aim of our study was to detect activation of inhibition and working memory during progressive difficulty levels of cognitive tasks and spontaneous walking using, respectively, wireless electroencephalography (EEG) and 3D-gait analysis. Thirteen healthy subjects were recruited. Two cognitive tasks were performed, activating inhibition (Go-NoGo) and working memory (N-back). EEG features (absolute and relative power in different bands) and kinematic parameters (7 spatial-temporal ones and Gait Variable Score for 9 range of motion of lower limbs) were analyzed. A significant decrease of stride length and an increase of external-rotation of foot progression were found during dual task with Go-NoGo. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the relative power in the delta band at channels Fz, C4 and progressive difficulty levels of Go-NoGo (activating inhibition) during walking, whereas working memory showed no correlation. This study reinforces the hypothesis of the prevalent involvement of inhibition with respect to working memory during dual task walking and reveals specific kinematic adaptations. The foundations for EEG-based monitoring of cognitive processes involved in gait are laid. Clinical and Translational Impact Statement: Clinical and instrumental evaluation and training of executive functions (as inhibition), during cognitive-motor task, could be useful for rehabilitation treatment of gait disorder in elderly and people with neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Arpaia
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information TechnologiesUniversity of Naples Federico II 80138 Naples Italy
| | - Renato Cuocolo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery, and DentistryScuola Medica SalernitanaUniversity of Salerno 84084 Salerno Italy
| | - Allegra Fullin
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive MedicineSection of Human AnatomyUniversity of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli Caserta 81100 Naples Italy
- Department of Advanced Biomedical SciencesUniversity of Naples Federico II 80138 Naples Italy
| | - Ludovica Gargiulo
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information TechnologiesUniversity of Naples Federico II 80138 Naples Italy
| | - Francesca Mancino
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information TechnologiesUniversity of Naples Federico II 80138 Naples Italy
| | - Nicola Moccaldi
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information TechnologiesUniversity of Naples Federico II 80138 Naples Italy
| | - Ersilia Vallefuoco
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive ScienceUniversity of Trento 38122 Rovereto Italy
| | - Paolo De Blasiis
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive MedicineSection of Human AnatomyUniversity of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli Caserta 81100 Naples Italy
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Sozzi S, Ghai S, Schieppati M. The 'Postural Rhythm' of the Ground Reaction Force during Upright Stance and Its Conversion to Body Sway-The Effect of Vision, Support Surface and Adaptation to Repeated Trials. Brain Sci 2023; 13:978. [PMID: 37508910 PMCID: PMC10377030 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13070978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The ground reaction force (GRF) recorded by a platform when a person stands upright lies at the interface between the neural networks controlling stance and the body sway deduced from centre of pressure (CoP) displacement. It can be decomposed into vertical (VGRF) and horizontal (HGRF) vectors. Few studies have addressed the modulation of the GRFs by the sensory conditions and their relationship with body sway. We reconsidered the features of the GRFs oscillations in healthy young subjects (n = 24) standing for 90 s, with the aim of characterising the possible effects of vision, support surface and adaptation to repeated trials, and the correspondence between HGRF and CoP time-series. We compared the frequency spectra of these variables with eyes open or closed on solid support surface (EOS, ECS) and on foam (EOF, ECF). All stance trials were repeated in a sequence of eight. Conditions were randomised across different days. The oscillations of the VGRF, HGRF and CoP differed between each other, as per the dominant frequency of their spectra (around 4 Hz, 0.8 Hz and <0.4 Hz, respectively) featuring a low-pass filter effect from VGRF to HGRF to CoP. GRF frequencies hardly changed as a function of the experimental conditions, including adaptation. CoP frequencies diminished to <0.2 Hz when vision was available on hard support surface. Amplitudes of both GRFs and CoP oscillations decreased in the order ECF > EOF > ECS ≈ EOS. Adaptation had no effect except in ECF condition. Specific rhythms of the GRFs do not transfer to the CoP frequency, whereas the magnitude of the forces acting on the ground ultimately determines body sway. The discrepancies in the time-series of the HGRF and CoP oscillations confirm that the body's oscillation mode cannot be dictated by the inverted pendulum model in any experimental conditions. The findings emphasise the robustness of the VGRF "postural rhythm" and its correspondence with the cortical theta rhythm, shed new insight on current principles of balance control and on understanding of upright stance in healthy and elderly people as well as on injury prevention and rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shashank Ghai
- Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies, Karlstad University, 65188 Karlstad, Sweden
- Centre for Societal Risk Research, Karlstad University, 65188 Karlstad, Sweden
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Vandenheever D, Lambrechts M. Dual-task changes in gait and brain activity measured in a healthy young adult population. Gait Posture 2023; 103:119-125. [PMID: 37156164 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dual Task (DT) walking in everyday life is the norm rather than the exception. Complex cognitive-motor strategies are employed during DT and it is necessary to coordinate and regulate neural resources to ensure adequate performance. However, the underlying neurophysiology involved is not fully understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the neurophysiology and gait kinematics during DT gait. RESEARCH QUESTION Our main research question was whether gait kinematics changed during DT walking for healthy young adults and whether this is reflected in brain activity. METHODS Ten healthy young adults walked on a treadmill, performed a Flanker test while standing and performed the Flanker test while walking on a treadmill. Electroencephalography (EEG), spatial temporal, and kinematic data was recorded and analyzed. RESULTS Average alpha and beta activities were modulated during DT walking compared to single task (ST) walking while ERPs during the Flanker test showed larger P300 amplitudes and longer latencies for DT compared to standing. Cadence reduced and cadence variability increased during DT compared to ST whilst kinematic results showed that hip and knee flexions decreased, and the center of mass moved slightly back in the sagittal plane. SIGNIFICANCE It was found that healthy young adults employed a cognitive-motor strategy that included directing more neural resources to the cognitive task while adopting a more upright posture during DT walking.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Vandenheever
- Neural Engineering Research Division, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, Mississippi State University, MS, USA; Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - Marezelle Lambrechts
- Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Jacobsen NSJ, Blum S, Scanlon JEM, Witt K, Debener S. Mobile electroencephalography captures differences of walking over even and uneven terrain but not of single and dual-task gait. Front Sports Act Living 2022; 4:945341. [PMID: 36275441 PMCID: PMC9582531 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2022.945341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Walking on natural terrain while performing a dual-task, such as typing on a smartphone is a common behavior. Since dual-tasking and terrain change gait characteristics, it is of interest to understand how altered gait is reflected by changes in gait-associated neural signatures. A study was performed with 64-channel electroencephalography (EEG) of healthy volunteers, which was recorded while they walked over uneven and even terrain outdoors with and without performing a concurrent task (self-paced button pressing with both thumbs). Data from n = 19 participants (M = 24 years, 13 females) were analyzed regarding gait-phase related power modulations (GPM) and gait performance (stride time and stride time-variability). GPMs changed significantly with terrain, but not with the task. Descriptively, a greater beta power decrease following right-heel strikes was observed on uneven compared to even terrain. No evidence of an interaction was observed. Beta band power reduction following the initial contact of the right foot was more pronounced on uneven than on even terrain. Stride times were longer on uneven compared to even terrain and during dual- compared to single-task gait, but no significant interaction was observed. Stride time variability increased on uneven terrain compared to even terrain but not during single- compared to dual-tasking. The results reflect that as the terrain difficulty increases, the strides become slower and more irregular, whereas a secondary task slows stride duration only. Mobile EEG captures GPM differences linked to terrain changes, suggesting that the altered gait control demands and associated cortical processes can be identified. This and further studies may help to lay the foundation for protocols assessing the cognitive demand of natural gait on the motor system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Svenja Josée Jacobsen
- Neuropsychology Lab, Department of Psychology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany,*Correspondence: Nadine Svenja Josée Jacobsen
| | - Sarah Blum
- Neuropsychology Lab, Department of Psychology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany,Hörzentrum Oldenburg GmbH, Oldenburg, Germany,Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Joanna Elizabeth Mary Scanlon
- Neuropsychology Lab, Department of Psychology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany,Branch for Hearing, Speech and Audio Technology HSA, Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Karsten Witt
- Department of Neurology and Research Center Neurosensory Science, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Debener
- Neuropsychology Lab, Department of Psychology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany,Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Oldenburg, Germany
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Nwogo RO, Kammermeier S, Singh A. Abnormal neural oscillations during gait and dual-task in Parkinson’s disease. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:995375. [PMID: 36185822 PMCID: PMC9522469 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.995375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Gait dysfunctions are debilitating motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and may result in frequent falling with health complications. The contribution of the motor-cognitive network to gait disturbance can be studied more thoroughly by challenging motor-cognitive dual-task gait performances. Gait is a complex motor task that requires an appropriate contribution from motor and cognitive networks, reflected in frequency modulations among several cortical and subcortical networks. Electrophysiological recordings by scalp electroencephalography and implanted deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes have unveiled modulations of specific oscillatory patterns in the cortical-subcortical circuits in PD. In this review, we summarize oscillatory contributions of the cortical, basal ganglia, mesencephalic locomotor, and cerebellar regions during gait and dual-task activities in PD. We detail the involvement of the cognitive network in dual-task settings and compare how abnormal oscillations in the specific frequency bands in the cortical and subcortical regions correlate with gait deficits in PD, particularly freezing of gait (FOG). We suggest that altered neural oscillations in different frequencies can cause derangements in broader brain networks, so neuromodulation and pharmacological therapies should be considered to normalize those network oscillations to improve challenged gait and dual-task motor functions in PD. Specifically, the theta and beta bands in premotor cortical areas, subthalamic nucleus, as well as alpha band activity in the brainstem prepontine nucleus, modulate under clinically effective levodopa and DBS therapies, improving gait and dual-task performance in PD with FOG, compared to PD without FOG and age-matched healthy control groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel O. Nwogo
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, United States
| | | | - Arun Singh
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, United States
- *Correspondence: Arun Singh,
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Pakniyat N, Namazi H. Complexity-Based Analysis of the Variations of Brain and Muscle Reactions in Walking and Standing Balance While Receiving Different Perturbations. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:749082. [PMID: 34690727 PMCID: PMC8531105 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.749082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In this article, we evaluated the variations of the brain and muscle activations while subjects are exposed to different perturbations to walking and standing balance. Since EEG and EMG signals have complex structures, we utilized the complexity-based analysis. Specifically, we analyzed the fractal dimension and sample entropy of Electroencephalogram (EEG) and Electromyogram (EMG) signals while subjects walked and stood, and received different perturbations in the form of pulling and rotation (via virtual reality). The results showed that the complexity of EEG signals was higher in walking than standing as the result of different perturbations. However, the complexity of EMG signals was higher in standing than walking as the result of different perturbations. Therefore, the alterations in the complexity of EEG and EMG signals are inversely correlated. This analysis could be extended to investigate simultaneous variations of rhythmic patterns of other physiological signals while subjects perform different activities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hamidreza Namazi
- Incubator of Kinanthropology Research, Faculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia.,College of Engineering and Science, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Kamal SM, Dawi NM, Namazi H. Information-based decoding of the coupling among human brain activity and movement paths. Technol Health Care 2021; 29:1109-1118. [PMID: 33749623 DOI: 10.3233/thc-202744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Walking like many other actions of a human is controlled by the brain through the nervous system. In fact, if a problem occurs in our brain, we cannot walk correctly. Therefore, the analysis of the coupling of brain activity and walking is very important especially in rehabilitation science. The complexity of movement paths is one of the factors that affect human walking. For instance, if we walk on a path that is more complex, our brain activity increases to adjust our movements. OBJECTIVE This study for the first time analyzed the coupling of walking paths and brain reaction from the information point of view. METHODS We analyzed the Shannon entropy for electroencephalography (EEG) signals versus the walking paths in order to relate their information contents. RESULTS According to the results, walking on a path that contains more information causes more information in EEG signals. A strong correlation (p= 0.9999) was observed between the information contents of EEG signals and walking paths. Our method of analysis can also be used to investigate the relation among other physiological signals of a human and walking paths, which has great benefits in rehabilitation science.
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Kamal SM, Sim S, Tee R, Nathan V, Aghasian E, Namazi H. Decoding of the relationship between human brain activity and walking paths. Technol Health Care 2020; 28:381-390. [DOI: 10.3233/thc-191965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sue Sim
- School of Engineering, Monash University, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Rui Tee
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Visvamba Nathan
- School of Engineering, Monash University, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Erfan Aghasian
- Discipline of ICT, School of Technology, Environments and Design, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Hamidreza Namazi
- School of Engineering, Monash University, Selangor, Malaysia
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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