Searching for just a few words should be enough to get started. If you need to make more complex queries, use the tips below to guide you.
Article type: Research Article
Authors: Dozza, Marcoa; b | Wall III, Conradc | Peterka, Robert J.b | Chiari, Lorenzoa | Horak, Fay B.b; *
Affiliations: [a] Department of Electronics, Computer Sciences and Systems, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy | [b] Neurological Science Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97006, USA | [c] Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Fay B. Horak, PhD, Neurological Sciences Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 NW 185th Ave, Beaverton, Oregon 97006, USA. Tel.: +1 503 418 2600; Fax: +1 503 418 2501; E-mail: horakf@ohsu.edu
Abstract: Subjects with unilateral vestibular loss exhibit motor control impairments as shown by body and limb deviation during gait. Biofeedback devices have been shown to improve stance postural control, especially when sensory information is limited by environmental conditions or pathologies such as unilateral vestibular loss. However, the extent to which biofeedback could improve motor performance or learning while practicing a dynamic task such as narrow gait is still unknown. In this cross-over design study, 9 unilateral vestibular loss subjects practiced narrow gait with and without wearing a trunk-tilt, biofeedback device in 2 practice sessions. The biofeedback device informed the subjects of their medial-lateral angular tilt and tilt velocity during gait via vibration of the trunk. From motion analysis and tilt data, the performance of the subjects practicing tandem gait were compared over time with and without biofeedback. By practicing tandem gait, subjects reduced their trunk-tilt, center of mass displacement, medial-lateral feet distance, and frequency of stepping error. In both groups, use of tactile biofeedback consistently increased postural stability during tandem gait, beyond the effects of practice alone. However, one single session of practice with biofeedback did not result in conclusive short-term after-effects consistent with short-term retention of motor performance without this additional biofeedback. Results from this study support the hypothesis that tactile biofeedback acts similar to natural sensory feedback to improve dynamic motor performance but does not facilitate a recalibration of motor performance to improve function after short-term use.
Keywords: Tactile biofeedback, unilateral vestibular loss, motor learning, sensory integration, tandem gait
DOI: 10.3233/VES-2007-17405
Journal: Journal of Vestibular Research, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 195-204, 2007
IOS Press, Inc.
6751 Tepper Drive
Clifton, VA 20124
USA
Tel: +1 703 830 6300
Fax: +1 703 830 2300
sales@iospress.com
For editorial issues, like the status of your submitted paper or proposals, write to editorial@iospress.nl
IOS Press
Nieuwe Hemweg 6B
1013 BG Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 688 3355
Fax: +31 20 687 0091
info@iospress.nl
For editorial issues, permissions, book requests, submissions and proceedings, contact the Amsterdam office info@iospress.nl
Inspirees International (China Office)
Ciyunsi Beili 207(CapitaLand), Bld 1, 7-901
100025, Beijing
China
Free service line: 400 661 8717
Fax: +86 10 8446 7947
china@iospress.cn
For editorial issues, like the status of your submitted paper or proposals, write to editorial@iospress.nl
如果您在出版方面需要帮助或有任何建, 件至: editorial@iospress.nl