Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Assessment and Communication for People with Disorders of Consciousness
Published on: August 1, 2017
Recognition of biological movements and cognitive functioning in patients with central nervous system tumours
Anna Kupryjaniuk1, Michał Sobstyl1, Angelika Stapińska-Syniec1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland.
Abstract:
Humans have a remarkable ability to perceive, identify, recognize and interpret biological movements. Point-light diplays (PLD) is the only method used to represent trajectories of human movements in visual material. Biological movement recognition might be disturbed in some disorders.
Aim:
The aim of the study was to examine if people with central nervous system (CNS) tumors bear deficits in recognizing biological movement. In addition, authors of this study decided to examine whether these deficits are associated with cognitive functions (especially executive functions).
Materials And Methods:
The study was performed at Neurosurgical Department of the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw, Poland. The patients who were admitted to Neurosurgical Department in the purpose of brain tumour removal were recruited to the study group. The control group consisted of healthy people. Neuropsychological tools (ACE-III, Rey figure, CTT, Ruff Figural Fluidity Test, WAIS-R Digit Span) and a program for biological motions recognition.
Results:
In terms of age, education level and gender no statistical differences were observed between the control group and the research group. Our study revealed statistically significant differences in the recognition of biological movement in the control and study group. The correlation analysis between EF and biological movement recognition were found in the following domain of neurophysiological tests: RFFT unique combinations, M-ACE, ACE-III visual-spatial functions, CTT interference indicator.
Conclusions:
People affected by brain tumours have impaired ability to recognize biological movements.
Insights
Individuals with central nervous system (CNS) tumors show impaired biological movement recognition. This deficit in recognizing biological motion is linked to executive functions, impacting daily life activities.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neurology
Background:
- Humans possess a sophisticated ability to interpret biological movements, often visualized using point-light displays (PLD).
- Disruptions in biological movement recognition can occur in various neurological disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate deficits in biological movement recognition in patients with central nervous system (CNS) tumors.
- To explore the association between these recognition deficits and cognitive functions, particularly executive functions.
Main Methods:
- The study included patients with brain tumors and a control group of healthy individuals.
- Neuropsychological assessments (ACE-III, Rey figure, CTT, Ruff Figural Fluidity Test, WAIS-R Digit Span) and a biological motion recognition program were utilized.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in age, education, or gender were found between groups.
- Statistically significant differences in biological movement recognition were observed between patients and controls.
- Correlations were identified between executive functions (e.g., RFFT unique combinations, M-ACE, ACE-III visual-spatial functions, CTT interference indicator) and biological movement recognition.
Conclusions:
- Patients with brain tumors exhibit an impaired capacity to recognize biological movements.
- Executive function deficits are associated with difficulties in biological movement recognition in this patient population.
