Obstacle Avoidance in Healthy Adults and People With Multiple Sclerosis: Preliminary fNIRS Study.

This study examined how gait adaptation during predictable and non-predictable obstacle avoidance affects the sensorimotor network in both healthy controls (HC) and persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). We utilized fNIRS measurements of HbO2 and HHb to estimate cortical activations and connectivity networks, which were then analyzed using power spectral density (PSD) and partial directed coherence (PDC). The findings revealed distinct patterns of cortical activation and connectivity for each task condition in both groups.

EEG Based Cortico-Muscular Connectivity During Standing Early Post Stroke.

In this exploratory study we studied brain activation and corticomuscular connectivity during standing in healthy individuals and persons with stroke within 40 days of cerebrovascular accident (CVA). EEG and EMG data were acquired during standing and analysis showed a trend of higher EEG power (hyper activation) in the stroke group. Direct corticomuscular connectivity between sensorimotor cortices and contralateral lower extremity muscles showed lower connectivity between affected motor, premotor, and sensory cortices, and contralateral lower extremity peripheral muscles with moderate effect size.

Augmented feedback modes during functional grasp training with an intelligent glove and virtual reality for persons with traumatic brain injury.

Physical therapy is crucial to rehabilitating hand function needed for activities of daily living after neurological traumas such as traumatic brain injury (TBI). Virtual reality (VR) can motivate participation in motor rehabilitation therapies. This study examines how multimodal feedback in VR to train grasp-and-place function will impact the neurological and motor responses in TBI participants ( = 7) compared to neurotypicals ( = 13).

Corticomuscular Connectivity during Walking in Able Bodied and Individuals with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury.

This exploratory study used EEG as mobile imaging method to study cortico-muscular connectivity (CMC) during walking in able-bodied individuals (AB) and individuals with spinal cord injury (iSCI), while walking with and without exoskeleton walking robot (EWR) assistance. We also explored change in CMC after intensive training using EWR assistance in iSCI. Results showed no different in CMC within the AB group during walking with and without robot assistance.

EEG Based Resting State Connectivity Changes in the Motor Cortex Associated with Upper Limb Motor Recovery in the Subacute Period Post-Stroke.

Stroke is a heterogeneous condition that would benefit from valid biomarkers of recovery for research and in the clinic. We evaluated the change in resting state connectivity (RSC) via electroencephalography (EEG) in motor areas, as well as motor recovery of the affected upper limb, in the subacute phase post-stroke. Fifteen participants who had sustained a subcortical stroke were included in this study.

Relationship between DTI Brain Connectivity and Functional Performance in Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury.

this study examines the relationship between brain structural connectivity, and physical and cognitive performances in individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Nine moderate to severe TBI participants were included in the study, and regression analysis was performed to explore if DTI connectivity of 16 regions of interest can predict individuals' : 1) Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC), 2) time component of Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), 3) Reaction Time (RT) during bimanual force matching task, 4) Performance Error Measurement (PEM) during bimanual force matching task, and 5) cognitive assessment of task switching using Trail Making (TM) test. Results showed that slower WMFT, PEM, and TM can be predicted by weaker cerebrospinal tract connectivity.

Difference in Cortical Modulation of Walking between Persons with Multiple Sclerosis and Healthy Controls: An EEG pilot study.

The overall goal of this study is to investigate the role of parietal cortex in the control of walking in persons with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS). We examined within-brain connectivity and cortico-muscular connectivity as pwMS and healthy control (HC) participants walked on an instrumented treadmill. Cortical activity was collected using EEG, muscle activity was collected using wireless EMG modules, and gait data were obtained by using the instrumented treadmill.