Decoding the Attentional Demands of Gait through EEG Gamma Band Features

PLoS ONE, 2016 · DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154136 · Published: April 26, 2016

Neurology Neurorehabilitation Biomechanics

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the relationship between a person's attention level while walking and their brain activity, specifically using EEG (electroencephalography) to measure brain signals. The research involved healthy individuals and patients with spinal cord injuries who walked on a treadmill while performing different attention-demanding tasks. The goal was to identify brainwave patterns (especially in the gamma frequency band) that correlate with different levels of attention during walking, which could help develop real-time feedback systems for rehabilitation.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

10 healthy users and 3 incomplete Spinal Cord Injury patients

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Gamma band frequencies in EEG signals are related to selective attention mechanisms during gait.
2
Classification models using gamma band features could distinguish between different attention tasks with a success rate of 67% for healthy users and 59% for patients.
3
Patients with spinal cord injuries showed different brain activity patterns compared to healthy users, suggesting they pay more attention to gait even during distracting tasks.

Research Summary

This study explores the use of EEG to decode the attentional demands of gait in healthy individuals and patients with spinal cord injuries. The research identifies gamma band features as being significantly correlated with attention levels during walking, opening the possibility for real-time attention monitoring. The findings suggest that brain-computer interfaces could be developed to provide feedback and adapt rehabilitation strategies based on a patient's attention level during lower limb rehabilitation.

Practical Implications

Real-Time Attention Monitoring

Development of systems capable of monitoring a patient's attention level during gait in real-time.

Adaptive Rehabilitation Strategies

Using attention level as feedback to adjust and optimize rehabilitation programs for individual patients.

Improved Rehabilitation Outcomes

Enhancing patient engagement and neuroplasticity through attention-aware rehabilitation techniques.