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How do different movement references influence ERP related to gait initiation? A comparative methods' assessment
Yuri Russo1, Marika Berchicci1, Francesco Di Russo2
1Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Piazza de Bosis 15, 00135, Roma, Italy.
Journal of Neuroscience Methods
|October 17, 2018
Summary
The choice of trigger technique significantly impacts Movement-Related Cortical Potentials (MRCPs) during gait initiation. Force plates provide the most robust MRCP trigger for studying locomotion, offering superior signal strength, cost-effectiveness, and setup efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Movement-Related Cortical Potentials (MRCPs) are crucial for understanding motor control dynamics.
- Identifying precise gait initiation triggers for complex locomotion remains a challenge.
- Variations in triggering instruments may influence recorded brain activity (MRCPs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To comparatively assess how different trigger identification techniques affect MRCPs during gait initiation.
- To determine the optimal method for triggering gait initiation analysis.
Main Methods:
- Eleven participants performed self-initiated forward and backward steps.
- Brain activity was recorded using 64-channel electroencephalography (EEG).
- Four triggering techniques were evaluated: surface electromyography, stereophotogrammetry, and force plates.
Main Results:
- Triggering technique significantly affected MRCP amplitude and latency (p < 0.003).
- Force plates yielded the largest MRCP signal amplitude (-11.56 ± 1.4 μV) compared to stereophotogrammetry and EMG.
- Force plates offered stronger signals than other methods.
Conclusions:
- Different instruments introduce varying time delays, altering MRCP amplitude and timing.
- Force plates provide the optimal trigger for gait initiation MRCP analysis due to signal strength, cost, and setup efficiency.