Neural Correlates of Walking Initiation

Neural Correlates of Walking Initiation

map-marker.pngWestern Interdiscliplinary Research Building (WIRB) and Parkwood Institute (PI)

Walking is a daily activity requiring intricate coordination and sensory processing. In the real world, we need to adapt our walking to different conditions. For example, we may walk on soft unstable surfaces, or rough surfaces. We may start walking forward, or diagonally. This study aims to investigate brain activation patterns that occur in response to different complexities and under different sensory conditions. Additionally, we would like to compare these activation patterns with walking’s characterstics. To do this, we hope to investigate your brain’s electrical activity and the changes in its blood circulation as you plan and perform different walking tasks. The walking tasks will range from simple (e.g., walking forward) to more complex (e.g., walking diagonally). Different sensory conditions will be involved, such as walking on a special surface like turf, and gentle electrical impulses delivered to the feet. In summary, this study investigates brain activation patterns during walking under varying conditions, emphasizing sensory information and motor planning complexity.

Healthy Volunteers

18 to 40 years old

Fluent in English

Who can participate in this study?

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be between the ages of 18-40
  • Be able to fluently communicate in English
  • Not have any current lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries/conditions (previous musculoskeletal injuries ok as long as recovered)
  • Not have any lower extremity sensory injuries/conditions
  • Not have any neurological conditions that might affect gait or attention (such as ADHD, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, etc.)
  • Not have any circulatory problems in the lower extremity (e.g., Deep-vein thrombosis, impaired circulation)
  • Not have any electronically active implants (e.g., pacemakers, cardiovascular defibrillators)
  • Not have any metallic implants in the foot

What is involved?

This study involves performing walking tasks with different complexities, such as walking forward, diagonally, or walking backwards. Participants will perform these tasks under different sensory conditions. For example, you may walk on different surfaces such smooth, turf, or a textured mat. We may give gentle and comfortable impulses to the feet. While you perform these tasks, we will record your brain activity using two different methods, Electroencephalography (EEG) and functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS). EEG measures your brains electrical activity, while fNIRS measures the changes in the blood flow in the brain. Both these methods use sensors placed on your head using a special cap. There will be two sessions, one at WIRB, and on at Parkwood Institute (550 Wellington Rd, London). Each session will take 90-120 minutes. The starting location will be chosen randomly.

Principal Investigator, Study Identifier, & Posting Dates

Principal Investigator: Sue Peters
Study posted on: October 24th, 2024
Recruitment open until: October 24th, 2025

Who can I contact to learn more about this study?

For more information about this study please contact:
Ali Doroodchi:adoroodc@uwo.ca
Sean Lai:slai222@uwo.ca

 

 

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