Project R-13047

Targeting ataxia: error correction mechanisms during coupling finger-taps and foot-steps to music and metronome ticks in patients with cerebellar impairment. (Research)

Cerebellar ataxia, characterised by incoordination of movement, is a very disabling impairment. Effective rehabilitation approaches targeting walking in patients with cerebellar ataxia are needed. To achieve this, I propose that training needs to target cerebrocerebellar predictive mechanisms. Such training can be embedded in tasks such as auditory-motor synchronisation tasks during walking to music and metronomes. To reach this end, the overall objective of the project is to investigate the underlying perceptual and motor components of auditory motor coupling using behavioural and neurophysiological (EEG) measurements. Two work-packages (WP) which apply different motor tasks will be used: a finger-tapping and listening paradigm and a walking paradigm. The experimental paradigms in both WPs are designed to include auditory stimuli at different tempi and apply manipulations in phase and period to study detection and correction of error by the means of measuring synchronisation accuracy and precision. Mechanistic insights from the finger-tapping and listening paradigm will be used to tailor the ingredients of the auditory stimuli in the walking paradigm, to investigate the effects of synchronisation on the uncoordinated pattern of walking in pwCI. Consequently, this project provides the fundamental frameworks necessary to translate these tasks to clinical practice.

01 October 2022 - 30 September 2025