TY - JOUR
T1 - Cognitive processing for step precision increases beta and gamma band modulation during overground walking
AU - Oliveira, Anderson Souza
AU - Arguissain, Federico Gabriel
AU - Andersen, Ole Kæseler
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - The aim of this study was to investigate whether cognitive processing for defining step precision during walking could induce changes in electrocortical activity. Ten healthy adults (21-36 years) were asked to walk overground in three different conditions: (1) normal walking in a straight path (NW); (2) walking in a pre-defined pathway forcing variation in step width and length by stepping on green marks on the floor (only one color: W1C), and (3) walking in the same pre-defined W1C pathway while evaluating different combinations among the colors green, yellow and red, in which only one color was the footfall target (evaluating two colors: W2C). Walking speed, stride duration and scalp electroencephalography (EEG) were recorded from all conditions. Event-related spectral perturbation was calculated for channels Fz, Cz, C3, C4, Pz and Oz in each condition, which were all time-normalized in relation to the gait cycle. The results showed that walking speed was reduced and stride duration was increased for W2C when compared to both NW and W1C (p < 0.01). Moreover, Event-related spectral perturbation analysis revealed significant changes (p < 0.05) during mid-stance in the frontal lobe and motor/sensorimotor regions, a phase in the gait cycle in which participants define the correct foot placement for the next step. These results suggest that greater cognitive demands during precision stepping influences electrocortical dynamics especially towards step transitions. Therefore, increased electrocortical activity in cognitive, motor and sensorimotor areas may be relevant to produce patterned and safe locomotion through challenging paths.
AB - The aim of this study was to investigate whether cognitive processing for defining step precision during walking could induce changes in electrocortical activity. Ten healthy adults (21-36 years) were asked to walk overground in three different conditions: (1) normal walking in a straight path (NW); (2) walking in a pre-defined pathway forcing variation in step width and length by stepping on green marks on the floor (only one color: W1C), and (3) walking in the same pre-defined W1C pathway while evaluating different combinations among the colors green, yellow and red, in which only one color was the footfall target (evaluating two colors: W2C). Walking speed, stride duration and scalp electroencephalography (EEG) were recorded from all conditions. Event-related spectral perturbation was calculated for channels Fz, Cz, C3, C4, Pz and Oz in each condition, which were all time-normalized in relation to the gait cycle. The results showed that walking speed was reduced and stride duration was increased for W2C when compared to both NW and W1C (p < 0.01). Moreover, Event-related spectral perturbation analysis revealed significant changes (p < 0.05) during mid-stance in the frontal lobe and motor/sensorimotor regions, a phase in the gait cycle in which participants define the correct foot placement for the next step. These results suggest that greater cognitive demands during precision stepping influences electrocortical dynamics especially towards step transitions. Therefore, increased electrocortical activity in cognitive, motor and sensorimotor areas may be relevant to produce patterned and safe locomotion through challenging paths.
KW - Balance
KW - Cognitive-motor interference
KW - Dual-tasking
KW - EEG
KW - Falls
KW - Walking
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85041925683&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10548-018-0633-z
DO - 10.1007/s10548-018-0633-z
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 29429136
SN - 0896-0267
VL - 31
SP - 661
EP - 671
JO - Brain Topography
JF - Brain Topography
IS - 4
ER -