Disruption of balance and stepping in cerebellar disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Disruption of balance and stepping in cerebellar disease Study 1: Visual Control of Standing Balance and the Adaptation of Self-Motion Perception in Cerebellar Disease Study 2: Visual Control of Stepping in Cerebellar Disease
IRAS ID
159090
Contact name
Brian L. Day
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Joint research Hospital University College London Hospitals R&D
Research summary
Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is a genetic disorder which disrupts coordinated movement. This study aims to improve understanding of how SCA results in deficits in the visual control of balance and stepping. We will test these aims in two separate experiments: the first to examine how SCA patients compensate to perceived visual and vestibular motion and the second to examine these patient’s deficits in visually guided stepping. In both experiments behaviour will be quantified using a three dimensional whole body motion capture system, force sensitive platforms, electromyographic recordings and gaze tracking eye glasses.
To examine visual and vestibular control of balance, all participants will complete two tasks. The first task is to stand freely while observing a moving visual scene. The kinematics of the visual scene will be varied and the compensatory behaviour of participants will be quantified. The second task will require participants to sit while receiving an artificial vestibular stimulus. The participant will indicate the magnitude of the stimulus induced perceived motion. The results of this first study will lead to a better understanding of how visual and vestibular information is used by SCA patients for balance control and will likely be useful for the further development of fall prevention strategies in these patients.
To examine visual control of stepping, participants (both SCA patients and healthy age matched controls) will be asked to step towards a target whose position, time of presentation and likelihood of appearing in a particular location will be varied systematically while the position of foot placement and motion of the eyes and body is recorded. Trials may also include additional lights which will serve to distract participant’s attention from the target location. The results from this second study may be used to inform fall prevention interventions and urban design in order to minimize fall risk.REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
14/ES/1072
Date of REC Opinion
24 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion