Rhythmic neural activity is comodulated with short-term gait modifications during first-time use of a dummy prosthesis: a pilot study

Abstract Background After transfemoral amputation, many hours of practice are needed to re-learn walking with a prosthesis. The long adaptation process that consolidates a novel gait pattern seems to depend on cerebellar function for reinforcement of specific gait modifications, but the precise, ste...

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Main Authors: Vera G. M. Kooiman, Helco G. van Keeken, Natasha M. Maurits, Vivian Weerdesteyn, Teodoro Solis-Escalante
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2020-10-01
Series:Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
Subjects:
EEG
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12984-020-00761-8
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spelling doaj-9f007cd2e1644a6c9541356be41e007c2020-11-25T03:46:43ZengBMCJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation1743-00032020-10-0117111410.1186/s12984-020-00761-8Rhythmic neural activity is comodulated with short-term gait modifications during first-time use of a dummy prosthesis: a pilot studyVera G. M. Kooiman0Helco G. van Keeken1Natasha M. Maurits2Vivian Weerdesteyn3Teodoro Solis-Escalante4Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Radboud University Medical CenterCenter for Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center GroningenDepartment of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center GroningenDepartment of Rehabilitation, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical CentreDepartment of Rehabilitation, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical CentreAbstract Background After transfemoral amputation, many hours of practice are needed to re-learn walking with a prosthesis. The long adaptation process that consolidates a novel gait pattern seems to depend on cerebellar function for reinforcement of specific gait modifications, but the precise, step-by-step gait modifications (e.g., foot placement) most likely rely on top-down commands from the brainstem and cerebral cortex. The aim of this study was to identify, in able-bodied individuals, the specific modulations of cortical rhythms that accompany short-term gait modifications during first-time use of a dummy prosthesis. Methods Fourteen naïve participants walked on a treadmill without (one block, 4 min) and with a dummy prosthesis (three blocks, 3 × 4 min), while ground reaction forces and 32-channel EEG were recorded. Gait cycle duration, stance phase duration, step width, maximal ground reaction force and, ground reaction force trace over time were measured to identify gait modifications. Independent component analysis of EEG data isolated brain-related activity from distinct anatomical sources. The source-level data were segmented into gait cycles and analyzed in the time–frequency domain to reveal relative enhancement or suppression of intrinsic cortical oscillations. Differences between walking conditions were evaluated with one-way ANOVA and post-hoc testing (α = 0.05). Results Immediate modifications occurred in the gait parameters when participants were introduced to the dummy prosthesis. Except for gait cycle duration, these modifications remained throughout the duration of the experimental session. Power modulations of the theta, mu, beta, and gamma rhythms, of sources presumably from the fronto-central and the parietal cortices, were found across the experimental session. Significant power modulations of the theta, beta, and gamma rhythms within the gait cycle were predominately found around the heel strike of both feet and the swing phase of the right (prosthetic) leg. Conclusions The modulations of cortical activity could be related to whole-body coordination, including the swing phase and placing of the prosthesis, and the bodyweight transfer between legs and arms. Reduced power modulation of the gamma rhythm within the experimental session may indicate initial motor memories being formed. Better understanding of the sensorimotor processes behind gait modifications may inform the development of neurofeedback strategies to assist gait rehabilitation.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12984-020-00761-8GaitProsthesisEEGGait modificationsMobile brain/body imaging
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Vera G. M. Kooiman
Helco G. van Keeken
Natasha M. Maurits
Vivian Weerdesteyn
Teodoro Solis-Escalante
spellingShingle Vera G. M. Kooiman
Helco G. van Keeken
Natasha M. Maurits
Vivian Weerdesteyn
Teodoro Solis-Escalante
Rhythmic neural activity is comodulated with short-term gait modifications during first-time use of a dummy prosthesis: a pilot study
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
Gait
Prosthesis
EEG
Gait modifications
Mobile brain/body imaging
author_facet Vera G. M. Kooiman
Helco G. van Keeken
Natasha M. Maurits
Vivian Weerdesteyn
Teodoro Solis-Escalante
author_sort Vera G. M. Kooiman
title Rhythmic neural activity is comodulated with short-term gait modifications during first-time use of a dummy prosthesis: a pilot study
title_short Rhythmic neural activity is comodulated with short-term gait modifications during first-time use of a dummy prosthesis: a pilot study
title_full Rhythmic neural activity is comodulated with short-term gait modifications during first-time use of a dummy prosthesis: a pilot study
title_fullStr Rhythmic neural activity is comodulated with short-term gait modifications during first-time use of a dummy prosthesis: a pilot study
title_full_unstemmed Rhythmic neural activity is comodulated with short-term gait modifications during first-time use of a dummy prosthesis: a pilot study
title_sort rhythmic neural activity is comodulated with short-term gait modifications during first-time use of a dummy prosthesis: a pilot study
publisher BMC
series Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
issn 1743-0003
publishDate 2020-10-01
description Abstract Background After transfemoral amputation, many hours of practice are needed to re-learn walking with a prosthesis. The long adaptation process that consolidates a novel gait pattern seems to depend on cerebellar function for reinforcement of specific gait modifications, but the precise, step-by-step gait modifications (e.g., foot placement) most likely rely on top-down commands from the brainstem and cerebral cortex. The aim of this study was to identify, in able-bodied individuals, the specific modulations of cortical rhythms that accompany short-term gait modifications during first-time use of a dummy prosthesis. Methods Fourteen naïve participants walked on a treadmill without (one block, 4 min) and with a dummy prosthesis (three blocks, 3 × 4 min), while ground reaction forces and 32-channel EEG were recorded. Gait cycle duration, stance phase duration, step width, maximal ground reaction force and, ground reaction force trace over time were measured to identify gait modifications. Independent component analysis of EEG data isolated brain-related activity from distinct anatomical sources. The source-level data were segmented into gait cycles and analyzed in the time–frequency domain to reveal relative enhancement or suppression of intrinsic cortical oscillations. Differences between walking conditions were evaluated with one-way ANOVA and post-hoc testing (α = 0.05). Results Immediate modifications occurred in the gait parameters when participants were introduced to the dummy prosthesis. Except for gait cycle duration, these modifications remained throughout the duration of the experimental session. Power modulations of the theta, mu, beta, and gamma rhythms, of sources presumably from the fronto-central and the parietal cortices, were found across the experimental session. Significant power modulations of the theta, beta, and gamma rhythms within the gait cycle were predominately found around the heel strike of both feet and the swing phase of the right (prosthetic) leg. Conclusions The modulations of cortical activity could be related to whole-body coordination, including the swing phase and placing of the prosthesis, and the bodyweight transfer between legs and arms. Reduced power modulation of the gamma rhythm within the experimental session may indicate initial motor memories being formed. Better understanding of the sensorimotor processes behind gait modifications may inform the development of neurofeedback strategies to assist gait rehabilitation.
topic Gait
Prosthesis
EEG
Gait modifications
Mobile brain/body imaging
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12984-020-00761-8
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