Valentine L Marcar1, Stephanie A Bridenbaugh2, Jan Kool3, Karin Niedermann3, Reto W Kressig2. 1. Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Department of Health Professions, Institute of Physiotherapy, Technikumstrasse 71, CH-8401 Winterthur, Switzerland. Electronic address: vlmarcar@gmail.com. 2. University Basel and Felix Platter-Hospital, University Center for Medicine of Aging Basel, Basel Mobility Center, Schanzenstrasse 55, PO Box, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland; University Basel and Felix Platter-Hospital, University Center for Medicine of Aging Basel, Burgfelderstrasse 101, PO Box, CH-4012 Basel, Switzerland. 3. Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Department of Health Professions, Institute of Physiotherapy, Technikumstrasse 71, CH-8401 Winterthur, Switzerland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The ability to record brain activity under normal walking conditions is the key to studying supraspinal influence on spinal gait control. NEW METHOD: We developed a procedure of synchronizing an electronic walkway (GAITRite, CIR Systems Inc.) with a multi-channel, wireless EEG-system (BrainAmp, Brainproducts). To assess the practicability of our procedure we performed a proof of concept measurement involving concurrently recording gait pattern and brain electrical activity in two elderly and two young participants. This measurement enabled us to assess the synchronization of the two data sets under realistic conditions. RESULTS: Only carrying a filled water glass reduced gait regularity in the elderly. In the young gait regularity was constant across all tasks. This concurs with previous findings reporting a task specific influence on gait. Carrying a full water glass also led to an increase in the power of the EEG gamma-band oscillations in frontal cortex of the elderly, but led to a decrease in the young participants. Carrying a full glass increased activity in frontal cortex of the elderly but decreased it in the young participants. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: At present, concurrent recording of gait pattern and electrical brain activity requires participants to walk on a treadmill. Our procedure enables these measurements to be made under natural walking conditions. This allows measurements of brain activity during walking in special needs groups such as children, the elderly or the infirm under near natural conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Our procedure for synchronizing EEG and gait proved simple, reliable and generated data of high-quality.
BACKGROUND: The ability to record brain activity under normal walking conditions is the key to studying supraspinal influence on spinal gait control. NEW METHOD: We developed a procedure of synchronizing an electronic walkway (GAITRite, CIR Systems Inc.) with a multi-channel, wireless EEG-system (BrainAmp, Brainproducts). To assess the practicability of our procedure we performed a proof of concept measurement involving concurrently recording gait pattern and brain electrical activity in two elderly and two young participants. This measurement enabled us to assess the synchronization of the two data sets under realistic conditions. RESULTS: Only carrying a filled water glass reduced gait regularity in the elderly. In the young gait regularity was constant across all tasks. This concurs with previous findings reporting a task specific influence on gait. Carrying a full water glass also led to an increase in the power of the EEG gamma-band oscillations in frontal cortex of the elderly, but led to a decrease in the young participants. Carrying a full glass increased activity in frontal cortex of the elderly but decreased it in the young participants. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: At present, concurrent recording of gait pattern and electrical brain activity requires participants to walk on a treadmill. Our procedure enables these measurements to be made under natural walking conditions. This allows measurements of brain activity during walking in special needs groups such as children, the elderly or the infirm under near natural conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Our procedure for synchronizing EEG and gait proved simple, reliable and generated data of high-quality.
Authors: Céline N Bürki; Stephanie A Bridenbaugh; Julia Reinhardt; Christoph Stippich; Reto W Kressig; Maria Blatow Journal: Brain Behav Date: 2017-07-21 Impact factor: 2.708