scholarly journals Mobility Performance in Old Age: A Window Into Brain Integrity

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 161-161
Author(s):  
Qu Tian ◽  
Andrea Rosso ◽  
Caterina Rosano
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Brain Aging ◽  
Small Vessel Disease ◽  
Skill Training ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Aging Brain ◽  
Gait Quality ◽  
Motor Skill Training

Abstract Over two decades of research has established brain aging as a critical component of mobility decline. Studies consistently report that motor slowing predicts cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases, but reported associations are often modest. Both mobility and brain aging are complex processes and steady-state assessments are typically used (usual pace gait and structural MRI). We aim to elucidate the complex relations between brain aging and mobility by considering (a) strategies to maintain function such as interlacing periods of activity and rest (fractionation), (b) interventions that target brain and body (motor skill training), (c) multimodal neuroimaging (functional connectivity and cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD)), (d) challenged walking (dual-tasks, uneven surfaces), and (e) reduced resources (hearing loss). This symposium focuses on community-dwelling older adults from observational and intervention studies using state-of-the-art and real-life assessments of gait (quality and fragmentation by tri-axial accelerometry) and brain (near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), resting-state functional MRI). First, we examine activity strategies that modify the relation between slow gait and AD risk (Tian). Second, using fNIRS, we investigate the extent to which motor skill training increases automaticity of gait (Chen). Third, we examine how functional connectivity may compensate for the detrimental effects of cSVD on mild parkinsonian signs (Hengenius). Fourth, we investigate the effects of challenged walking on gait quality and the relation with cognitive function (Suri). Finally, we demonstrate relations of hearing and cognition with mobility (Pupo). We seek to generate discussions on shared pathways underlying motor slowing and the aging brain and future prevention and intervention strategies.

scholarly journals Changes in GPS-Derived Community Mobility After Motor Skill Training in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 565-566
Author(s):  
Breanna Crane ◽  
Kyle Moored ◽  
Michelle Carlson ◽  
Subashan Perera ◽  
Jennifer Brach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Skill Training ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Standard Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Community Mobility ◽  
Gps Measurement ◽  
Motor Skill Training ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract The study purpose was to identify the effects of a motor skill training intervention to improve gait speed on community mobility among community-dwelling older adults. The study included 249 participants randomized to standard physical therapy or a standard plus motor skill training program. Community mobility was measured using the Life Space Assessment (LSA) and GPS at baseline, 12 (post-intervention), 24 and 36 weeks. There were 124 participants (M age=77.4±6.7; 68.6% female; LSA: 76.2±17.6) randomized to the standard plus and 125 (M age=77.4±6.4; 62.4% female; LSA: 74.3±18.2) to the standard group. There was no significant between-group difference in pre- or post-intervention LSA scores and no significant pre- to post-intervention change over time in either group. GPS results are pending. While there were no differences in self-reported LSA, we anticipate objective GPS measurement of community mobility will better capture post-intervention changes and differences between groups.

scholarly journals A Hierarchical Model of Motor Skill for Haptic-assisted Virtual Reality Training

2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 75-80
Author(s):  
Dangxiao Wang ◽  
Yuru Zhang ◽  
Jun Wu
Keyword(s):  
Motor Skills ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Skill Training ◽  
Training System ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Generic Model ◽  
Coupling Mechanism ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Motor Skill Training ◽  
Task Level

Model of motor skill pattern is a fundamental component to support feedback mechanism in haptic-assisted motor skill training. Because of the diversity of manipulation tasks in real world, it is a challenge to construct a generic model for various motor skill patterns. Considering fine motor skill mediated by a rigid tool, criteria for a general model of motor skill are identified: generality, quantifiable representation and the capability to support real-time error computation. A hierarchical motor skill model is proposed in a two-level architecture: the spatial-temporal coupling mechanism in task level and the quantified representation in action level. The purpose of task level is to decompose a motor skill into basic elements that can be described with quantified representation. The purpose of the action level is to give quantified representation in each single dimension in the Cartesian Space. Based on the combinations of independent variants, mapping functions in the action level are classified as five basic types. The proposed model can provide a systematical view to compare various motor skills in literatures, and thus can help us to identify unexplored topics in haptic-enabled motor skill training area. Furthermore, examples of two motor skill tasks show that the proposed model can provide a systematic way to design training system for complex motor skills.

scholarly journals Long-term motor skill training with individually adjusted progressive difficulty enhances learning and promotes corticospinal plasticity

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lasse Christiansen ◽  
Malte Nejst Larsen ◽  
Mads Just Madsen ◽  
Michael James Grey ◽  
Jens Bo Nielsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Skill Training ◽  
Skill Learning ◽  
Precise Control ◽  
Visuomotor Task ◽  
Motor Skill Training

Abstract Motor skill acquisition depends on central nervous plasticity. However, behavioural determinants leading to long lasting corticospinal plasticity and motor expertise remain unexplored. Here we investigate behavioural and electrophysiological effects of individually tailored progressive practice during long-term motor skill training. Two groups of participants practiced a visuomotor task requiring precise control of the right digiti minimi for 6 weeks. One group trained with constant task difficulty, while the other group trained with progressively increasing task difficulty, i.e. continuously adjusted to their individual skill level. Compared to constant practice, progressive practice resulted in a two-fold greater performance at an advanced task level and associated increases in corticospinal excitability. Differences were maintained 8 days later, whereas both groups demonstrated equal retention 14 months later. We demonstrate that progressive practice enhances motor skill learning and promotes corticospinal plasticity. These findings underline the importance of continuously challenging patients and athletes to promote neural plasticity, skilled performance, and recovery.

scholarly journals Motor Skill Training Effect on Real-Time Prefrontal Cortex Activation During Walking

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 162-162
Author(s):  
Subashan Perera ◽  
Theodore Huppert ◽  
Jennifer Brach ◽  
Andrea Rosso ◽  
Nemin Chen
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Mixed Models ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Skill Training ◽  
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Task Time ◽  
Motor Skill Training

Abstract We aimed to test the effects of motor skill training (MST) on gait automaticity measured by changes in prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation during actual walking. We used data from a 12-week trial of older adults (mean age=75.5, 60.5% women) randomized to standard physical therapy and standard+MST in a 1:1 ratio. Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measured PFC activation during simple and dual task walking. We will apply linear mixed models to assess effects of task, time, and MST on PFC activation. We will compare the PFC activation 1) during dual task walking compared to simple walking; 2) across visits after intervention; and 3) between participants receiving MST compared to standard physical therapy. These results will demonstrate whether gait automaticity, as evidenced by PFC activation during walking, is affected by MST.

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