1
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Walsh GS, Snowball J. Cognitive and visual task effects on gaze behaviour and gait of younger and older adults. Exp Brain Res 2023; 241:1623-1631. [PMID: 37148282 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-023-06627-4] [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: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive dual tasks alter gait of younger and older adults and recent research has demonstrated that they also influence gaze behaviour and standing postural control. These findings suggest that age-related changes in cognitive and gaze function might increase fall risk in older adults. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect cognitive and visual dual tasks on the gait and gaze behaviour of younger and older adults. Ten older and ten younger adults walked for 3 min on a treadmill at preferred walking speed under three conditions, single task, cognitive and visual dual task conditions. Gait dynamics were measured using accelerometry and gaze behaviour was measured using wearable eye-trackers. Stride time variability and centre of mass (COM) motion complexity increased in dual-task conditions in older adults but had no difference for younger adults. Dual tasks had limited effect on gaze behaviour; however, visual input duration was greater, and visual input frequency and saccade frequency were lower in older than younger adults. The gaze adaptations in older adults may be the result of slower visual processing or represent a compensatory strategy to suppress postural movement. The increase in gait COM motion complexity in older adults suggests the dual tasks led to more automatic gait control resulting from both cognitive and visual tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory S Walsh
- Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK.
| | - James Snowball
- Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
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2
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Kantan PR, Dahl S, Jørgensen HR, Khadye C, Spaich EG. Designing Ecological Auditory Feedback on Lower Limb Kinematics for Hemiparetic Gait Training. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:3964. [PMID: 37112305 PMCID: PMC10145885 DOI: 10.3390/s23083964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Auditory feedback has earlier been explored as a tool to enhance patient awareness of gait kinematics during rehabilitation. In this study, we devised and tested a novel set of concurrent feedback paradigms on swing phase kinematics in hemiparetic gait training. We adopted a user-centered design approach, where kinematic data recorded from 15 hemiparetic patients was used to design three feedback algorithms (wading sounds, abstract, musical) based on filtered gyroscopic data from four inexpensive wireless inertial units. The algorithms were tested (hands-on) by a focus group of five physiotherapists. They recommended that the abstract and musical algorithms be discarded due to sound quality and informational ambiguity. After modifying the wading algorithm (as per their feedback), we conducted a feasibility test involving nine hemiparetic patients and seven physiotherapists, where variants of the algorithm were applied to a conventional overground training session. Most patients found the feedback meaningful, enjoyable to use, natural-sounding, and tolerable for the typical training duration. Three patients exhibited immediate improvements in gait quality when the feedback was applied. However, minor gait asymmetries were found to be difficult to perceive in the feedback, and there was variability in receptiveness and motor change among the patients. We believe that our findings can advance current research in inertial sensor-based auditory feedback for motor learning enhancement during neurorehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prithvi Ravi Kantan
- Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology, Aalborg University, 2450 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sofia Dahl
- Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology, Aalborg University, 2450 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Chetali Khadye
- Division of Population Health and Genomics, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, Scotland, UK
| | - Erika G. Spaich
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9260 Gistrup, Denmark
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3
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Cajigas I, Davis KC, Prins NW, Gallo S, Naeem JA, Fisher L, Ivan ME, Prasad A, Jagid JR. Brain-Computer interface control of stepping from invasive electrocorticography upper-limb motor imagery in a patient with quadriplegia. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 16:1077416. [PMID: 36776220 PMCID: PMC9912159 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.1077416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Most spinal cord injuries (SCI) result in lower extremities paralysis, thus diminishing ambulation. Using brain-computer interfaces (BCI), patients may regain leg control using neural signals that actuate assistive devices. Here, we present a case of a subject with cervical SCI with an implanted electrocorticography (ECoG) device and determined whether the system is capable of motor-imagery-initiated walking in an assistive ambulator. Methods: A 24-year-old male subject with cervical SCI (C5 ASIA A) was implanted before the study with an ECoG sensing device over the sensorimotor hand region of the brain. The subject used motor-imagery (MI) to train decoders to classify sensorimotor rhythms. Fifteen sessions of closed-loop trials followed in which the subject ambulated for one hour on a robotic-assisted weight-supported treadmill one to three times per week. We evaluated the stability of the best-performing decoder over time to initiate walking on the treadmill by decoding upper-limb (UL) MI. Results: An online bagged trees classifier performed best with an accuracy of 84.15% averaged across 9 weeks. Decoder accuracy remained stable following throughout closed-loop data collection. Discussion: These results demonstrate that decoding UL MI is a feasible control signal for use in lower-limb motor control. Invasive BCI systems designed for upper-extremity motor control can be extended for controlling systems beyond upper extremity control alone. Importantly, the decoders used were able to use the invasive signal over several weeks to accurately classify MI from the invasive signal. More work is needed to determine the long-term consequence between UL MI and the resulting lower-limb control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iahn Cajigas
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kevin C. Davis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Noeline W. Prins
- Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of Ruhana, Hapugala, Sri Lanka
| | - Sebastian Gallo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Jasim A. Naeem
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Letitia Fisher
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Michael E. Ivan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Abhishek Prasad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Jonathan R. Jagid
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
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4
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Luecha T, Takesue S, Yeoh WL, Loh PY, Muraki S. Backward Walking Styles and Impact on Spatiotemporal Gait Characteristics. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10122487. [PMID: 36554011 PMCID: PMC9777745 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10122487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Forward walking (FW) is a common balance assessment tool. However, its sensitivity is limited by the ceiling effect. Reverse gait, such as backward walking (BW), has been reported to have more advantages than FW for balance assessment. Three factors related to postural instability (i.e., increased speeds, restricted arm swing, and reduced visual feedback) during BW were investigated to determine BW conditions that have the potential to predict falls. Three-dimensional analyses were used to analyze seven walking conditions. FW and BW at self-selected and fast speeds were analyzed to identify the effects of speed. Walking with normal arm swings, crossed arms, and abducted arms during BW was tested to determine the effects of arm position. BW with closed and open eyes was compared to investigate the effects of visual feedback. BW had a significantly shorter step length than FW at high speeds. When the arms were abducted, the stance phase (%) was significantly lower compared to when arms were crossed during BW. Moreover, BW with closed eyes revealed significantly higher mediolateral center of mass (COM) displacements than with open eyes. We observed that BW with fast speeds, a crossed arm position, and closed eyes has the potential to help assess fall risk because it requires higher balance ability through spatiotemporal and COM adjustment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teerapapa Luecha
- Department of Human Sciences, Graduate School of Design, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 815-8540, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Shin Takesue
- Department of Human Sciences, Graduate School of Design, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 815-8540, Japan
| | - Wen Liang Yeoh
- Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Saga University, Saga 840-8502, Japan
| | - Ping Yeap Loh
- Department of Life Design and Science, Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 815-8540, Japan
| | - Satoshi Muraki
- Department of Life Design and Science, Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 815-8540, Japan
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5
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Orban GA, Sepe A, Bonini L. Parietal maps of visual signals for bodily action planning. Brain Struct Funct 2021; 226:2967-2988. [PMID: 34508272 PMCID: PMC8541987 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02378-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) has long been understood as a high-level integrative station for computing motor commands for the body based on sensory (i.e., mostly tactile and visual) input from the outside world. In the last decade, accumulating evidence has shown that the parietal areas not only extract the pragmatic features of manipulable objects, but also subserve sensorimotor processing of others’ actions. A paradigmatic case is that of the anterior intraparietal area (AIP), which encodes the identity of observed manipulative actions that afford potential motor actions the observer could perform in response to them. On these bases, we propose an AIP manipulative action-based template of the general planning functions of the PPC and review existing evidence supporting the extension of this model to other PPC regions and to a wider set of actions: defensive and locomotor actions. In our model, a hallmark of PPC functioning is the processing of information about the physical and social world to encode potential bodily actions appropriate for the current context. We further extend the model to actions performed with man-made objects (e.g., tools) and artifacts, because they become integral parts of the subject’s body schema and motor repertoire. Finally, we conclude that existing evidence supports a generally conserved neural circuitry that transforms integrated sensory signals into the variety of bodily actions that primates are capable of preparing and performing to interact with their physical and social world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy A Orban
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, via Volturno 39/E, 43125, Parma, Italy.
| | - Alessia Sepe
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, via Volturno 39/E, 43125, Parma, Italy
| | - Luca Bonini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, via Volturno 39/E, 43125, Parma, Italy.
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6
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Armitano-Lago C, Bennett HJ, Haegele JA. Lower Limb Proprioception and Strength Differences Between Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Neurotypical Controls. Percept Mot Skills 2021; 128:2132-2147. [PMID: 34340633 DOI: 10.1177/00315125211036418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex diagnosis characterized primarily by persistent deficits in social communication/interaction and repetitive behavior patterns, interests, and/or activities. ASD is also characterized by various physiological and/or behavioral features that span sensory, neurological, and neuromotor function. Although problems with lower body coordination and control have been noted, little prior research has examined lower extremity strength and proprioception, a process requiring integration of sensorimotor information to locate body/limbs in space. We designed this study to compare lower limb proprioception and strength in adolescents with ASD and neurotypical controls. Adolescents diagnosed with ASD (n = 17) and matched controls (n = 17) performed ankle plantarflexion/dorsiflexion bilateral proprioception and strength tests on an isokinetic dynamometer. We assessed position-based proprioception using three targeted positions (5 and 20-degrees plantarflexion and 10-degrees dorsiflexion) and speed-based proprioception using two targeted speeds (60 and 120-degrees/second). We assessed strength at 60-degrees/second. Participants with ASD performed 1.3-times more poorly during plantarflexion position and 2-times more poorly during the speed-based proprioception tests compared to controls. Participants with ASD also exhibited a 40% reduction in plantarflexion strength compared to controls. These findings provide insight into mechanisms that underly the reduced coordination, aberrant gait mechanics, and coordination problems often seen in individuals with ASD, and the identification of these mechanisms now permits better targeting of rehabilitative goals in treatment programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cortney Armitano-Lago
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
| | - Hunter J Bennett
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, United States
| | - Justin A Haegele
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, United States
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7
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Deng L, Luo J, Lyu Y, Song R. Effects of Future Information and Trajectory Complexity on Kinematic Signal and Muscle Activation during Visual-Motor Tracking. ENTROPY 2021; 23:e23010111. [PMID: 33467619 PMCID: PMC7830702 DOI: 10.3390/e23010111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Visual-motor tracking movement is a common and essential behavior in daily life. However, the contribution of future information to visual-motor tracking performance is not well understood in current research. In this study, the visual-motor tracking performance with and without future-trajectories was compared. Meanwhile, three task demands were designed to investigate their impact. Eighteen healthy young participants were recruited and instructed to track a target on a screen by stretching/flexing their elbow joint. The kinematic signals (elbow joint angle) and surface electromyographic (EMG) signals of biceps and triceps were recorded. The normalized integrated jerk (NIJ) and fuzzy approximate entropy (fApEn) of the joint trajectories, as well as the multiscale fuzzy approximate entropy (MSfApEn) values of the EMG signals, were calculated. Accordingly, the NIJ values with the future-trajectory were significantly lower than those without future-trajectory (p-value < 0.01). The smoother movement with future-trajectories might be related to the increasing reliance of feedforward control. When the task demands increased, the fApEn values of joint trajectories increased significantly, as well as the MSfApEn of EMG signals (p-value < 0.05). These findings enrich our understanding about visual-motor control with future information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linchuan Deng
- Key Laboratory of Sensing Technology and Biomedical Instrument of Guangdong Province, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (L.D.); (J.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Jie Luo
- Key Laboratory of Sensing Technology and Biomedical Instrument of Guangdong Province, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (L.D.); (J.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yueling Lyu
- Key Laboratory of Sensing Technology and Biomedical Instrument of Guangdong Province, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (L.D.); (J.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Rong Song
- Key Laboratory of Sensing Technology and Biomedical Instrument of Guangdong Province, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (L.D.); (J.L.); (Y.L.)
- Shenzhen Research Institute, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518057, China
- Correspondence:
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8
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Dickson G, Burtan D, James S, Phillips D, Stevanov J, Heard P, Leonards U. Walking on Visual Illusions. Iperception 2021; 12:2041669520981101. [PMID: 33680419 PMCID: PMC7900843 DOI: 10.1177/2041669520981101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In nature, sensory and physical characteristics of the environment tend to match; for example, a surface that looks bumpy is bumpy. In human-built environments, they often don't. Here, we report observations from people exploring if mismatch between visual and physical characteristics affected their perceived walking experience. Participants walked across four flat floors, each comprising of a visual illusion: two patterns perceived as alternating 3D "furrows and ridges," the Primrose Field illusion, and a variant of the Cafe Wall illusion as a control pattern without perceived 3D effects. Participants found all patterns intriguing to look at; some describing them as "playful" or "gentle." More than half found some of the patterns uncomfortable to walk on, aversive, affecting walking stability, and occasionally even evoking fear of falling. These experiences raise crucial research questions for the vision sciences into the impact of architectural design on well-being and walkability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daria Burtan
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Shelley James
- School of Fine Art, Royal College of Art, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jasmina Stevanov
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Priscilla Heard
- School of Psychology, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Ute Leonards
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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9
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Hobbs B, Artemiadis P. A Review of Robot-Assisted Lower-Limb Stroke Therapy: Unexplored Paths and Future Directions in Gait Rehabilitation. Front Neurorobot 2020; 14:19. [PMID: 32351377 PMCID: PMC7174593 DOI: 10.3389/fnbot.2020.00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke affects one out of every six people on Earth. Approximately 90% of stroke survivors have some functional disability with mobility being a major impairment, which not only affects important daily activities but also increases the likelihood of falling. Originally intended to supplement traditional post-stroke gait rehabilitation, robotic systems have gained remarkable attention in recent years as a tool to decrease the strain on physical therapists while increasing the precision and repeatability of the therapy. While some of the current methods for robot-assisted rehabilitation have had many positive and promising outcomes, there is moderate evidence of improvement in walking and motor recovery using robotic devices compared to traditional practice. In order to better understand how and where robot-assisted rehabilitation has been effective, it is imperative to identify the main schools of thought that have prevailed. This review intends to observe those perspectives through three different lenses: the goal and type of interaction, the physical implementation, and the sensorimotor pathways targeted by robotic devices. The ways that researchers approach the problem of restoring gait function are grouped together in an intuitive way. Seeing robot-assisted rehabilitation in this unique light can naturally provoke the development of new directions to potentially fill the current research gaps and eventually discover more effective ways to provide therapy. In particular, the idea of utilizing the human inter-limb coordination mechanisms is brought up as an especially promising area for rehabilitation and is extensively discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Panagiotis Artemiadis
- Human-Oriented Robotics and Control Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
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10
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Stramel DM, Carrera RM, Rahok SA, Stein J, Agrawal SK. Effects of a Person-Following Light-Touch Device During Overground Walking With Visual Perturbations in a Virtual Reality Environment. IEEE Robot Autom Lett 2019. [DOI: 10.1109/lra.2019.2931267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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11
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Duysens J, Forner-Cordero A. Walking with perturbations: a guide for biped humans and robots. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2018; 13:061001. [PMID: 30109860 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/aada54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This paper provides an update on the neural control of bipedal walking in relation to bioinspired models and robots. It is argued that most current models or robots are based on the construct of a symmetrical central pattern generator (CPG). However, new evidence suggests that CPG functioning is basically asymmetrical with its flexor half linked more tightly to the rhythm generator. The stability of bipedal gait, which is an important problem for robots and biological systems, is also addressed. While it is not possible to determine how biological biped systems guarantee stability, robot solutions can be useful to propose new hypotheses for biology. In the second part of this review, the focus is on gait perturbations, which is an important topic in robotics in view of the frequent falls of robots when faced with perturbations. From the human physiology it is known that the initial reaction often consists of a brief interruption followed by an adequate response. For instance, the successful recovery from a trip is achieved using some basic reactions (termed elevating and lowering strategies), that depend on the phase of the step cycle of the trip occurrence. Reactions to stepping unexpectedly in a hole depend on comparing expected and real feedback. Implementation of these ideas in models and robotics starts to emerge, with the most advanced robots being able to learn how to fall safely and how to deal with complicated disturbances such as provided by walking on a split-belt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Duysens
- Biomechatronics Lab., Mechatronics Department, Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Mello Moraes, 2231, Cidade Universitária 05508-030, São Paulo-SP, Brasil. Department of Kinesiology, FaBeR, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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12
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Characterizing Patients with Unilateral Vestibular Hypofunction Using Kinematic Variability and Local Dynamic Stability during Treadmill Walking. Behav Neurol 2017; 2017:4820428. [PMID: 28785135 PMCID: PMC5530428 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4820428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we aimed to compare the unstable gait caused by unilateral vestibular hypofunction (UVH) with the normal gait. Twelve patients with UVH and twelve age-matched control subjects were enrolled in the study. Thirty-four markers were attached to anatomical positions of each participant, and a three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis system was used to capture marker coordinates as the participants walked on a treadmill. The mean standard deviation of the rotation angles was used to represent gait variability. To explore gait stability, local dynamic stability was calculated from the trunk trajectory. The UVH group had wider step width and greater variability of roll rotation at the hip than the control group (P < 0.05). Also, the UVH group had lower local dynamic stability in the medial-lateral (ML) direction than the control group (P < 0.05). By linear regression analysis, we identified a linear relationship between the short-term Lyapunov exponent and vestibular functional asymmetry. The result implies that UVH-induced asymmetry can increase posture variability and gait instability. This study demonstrates the potential for using kinematic parameters to quantitatively evaluate the severity of vestibular functional asymmetry. Further studies will be needed to explore the clinical effectiveness of such approaches.
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13
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Li J, Chen D, Fan Y. An Open-Structure Treadmill Gait Trainer: From Research to Application. JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING 2017; 2017:9053630. [PMID: 29065662 PMCID: PMC5494776 DOI: 10.1155/2017/9053630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Lower limb rehabilitation robots are designed to enhance gait function in individuals with motor impairments. Although numerous rehabilitation robots have been developed, only few of these robots have been used in practical health care, particularly in China. The objective of this study is to construct a lower limb rehabilitation robot and bridge the gap between research and application. Open structure to facilitate practical application was created for the whole robot. Three typical movement patterns of a single leg were adopted in designing the exoskeletons, and force models for patient training were established and analyzed under three different conditions, respectively, and then a control system and security strategy were introduced. After establishing the robot, a preliminary experiment on the actual use of a prototype by patients was conducted to validate the functionality of the robot. The experiment showed that different patients and stages displayed different performances, and results on the trend variations across patients and across stages confirmed the validity of the robot and suggested that the design may lead to a system that could be successful in the treatment of patients with walking disorders in China. Furthermore, this study could provide a reference for a similar application design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Technical Aids for Old-Age and Disability and Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Aids Technology and System of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and Engineering Research Center for Rehabilitation Aids of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, National Research Center for Rehabilitation Technical Aids, Beijing 100176, China
- Robotic Institute, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Diansheng Chen
- Robotic Institute, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yubo Fan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Technical Aids for Old-Age and Disability and Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Aids Technology and System of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and Engineering Research Center for Rehabilitation Aids of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, National Research Center for Rehabilitation Technical Aids, Beijing 100176, China
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
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14
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Fowler SC, Mosher LJ, Godar SC, Bortolato M. Assessment of gait and sensorimotor deficits in the D1CT-7 mouse model of Tourette syndrome. J Neurosci Methods 2017; 292:37-44. [PMID: 28099872 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Revised: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by multiple motor and phonic tics. While TS patients have been also shown to exhibit subtle abnormalities of sensorimotor integration and gait, animal models of this disorder are seldom tested for these functions. To fill this gap, we assessed gait and sensorimotor integration in the D1CT-7 mouse, one of the best-validated animal models of TS. D1CT-7 mice exhibit spontaneous tic-like manifestations, which, in line with the clinical phenomenology of TS, are markedly exacerbated by environmental stress. Thus, to verify whether stress may affect sensorimotor integration and gait functions in D1CT-7 mice, we subjected these animals to a 20-min session of spatial confinement, an environmental stressor that was recently shown to worsen tic-like manifestations. Immediately following this manipulation (or no confinement, for controls), animals were subjected to either the sticky-tape task, to test for sensorimotor integration; or a 60-min session in an open field (42×42cm) force-plate actometer for gait analysis. Gait analyses included spatial, temporal, and dynamic (force) parameters. D1CT-7 mice displayed a longer latency to remove a sticky tape, indicating marked impairments in sensorimotor integration; furthermore, these mutants exhibited shortened stride length, increased stride rate, nearly equal early-phase velocity, and higher late-phase velocity. D1CT-7 mice also ran with greater force amplitude than wild-type (WT) littermates. None of these phenotypes was worsened by spatial confinement. These results highlight the potential importance of testing sensorimotor integration and gait functions as a phenotypic correlate of cortical connectivity deficits in animal models of TS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen C Fowler
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
| | - Laura J Mosher
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA; Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy; University of Utah, Salt Lake City UT, USA
| | - Sean C Godar
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy; University of Utah, Salt Lake City UT, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy; University of Utah, Salt Lake City UT, USA
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Roden-Reynolds DC, Walker MH, Wasserman CR, Dean JC. Hip proprioceptive feedback influences the control of mediolateral stability during human walking. J Neurophysiol 2015; 114:2220-9. [PMID: 26289467 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00551.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Active control of the mediolateral location of the feet is an important component of a stable bipedal walking pattern, although the roles of sensory feedback in this process are unclear. In the present experiments, we tested whether hip abductor proprioception influenced the control of mediolateral gait motion. Participants performed a series of quiet standing and treadmill walking trials. In some trials, 80-Hz vibration was applied intermittently over the right gluteus medius (GM) to evoke artificial proprioceptive feedback. During walking, the GM was vibrated during either right leg stance (to elicit a perception that the pelvis was closer mediolaterally to the stance foot) or swing (to elicit a perception that the swing leg was more adducted). Vibration during quiet standing evoked leftward sway in most participants (13 of 16), as expected from its predicted perceptual effects. Across the 13 participants sensitive to vibration, stance phase vibration caused the contralateral leg to be placed significantly closer to the midline (by ∼2 mm) at the end of the ongoing step. In contrast, swing phase vibration caused the vibrated leg to be placed significantly farther mediolaterally from the midline (by ∼2 mm), whereas the pelvis was held closer to the stance foot (by ∼1 mm). The estimated mediolateral margin of stability was thus decreased by stance phase vibration but increased by swing phase vibration. Although the observed effects of vibration were small, they were consistent with humans monitoring hip proprioceptive feedback while walking to maintain stable mediolateral gait motion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devin C Roden-Reynolds
- Division of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; and
| | - Megan H Walker
- Division of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; and
| | - Camille R Wasserman
- Division of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; and
| | - Jesse C Dean
- Division of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; and Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina
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