EEG Neurofeedback activation of electrical stimulation assistance during motor attempts to train ankle control in children and young adults with cerebral palsy
The primary focus of our research is to investigate mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal motor control and to design interventions and/or robotic devices to improve motor function in children with physical disabilities as a result of brain injury early in life, specifically cerebral palsy (CP). Our laboratory has a state-of-the-science motion capture system that precisely quantifies joint motion during walking or any motor task. This system can be integrated with surface electromyography (EMG) that provides information on which muscles are active and when. We further utilize non-invasive methods of assessing cortical activation patterns, specifically electroencephalography (EEG), that can be synchronized with our biomechanics data. The primary goal of this project is to pilot the use of a brain-computer interface (BCI) based neurofeedback system using EEG in real-time to detect a person’s intent to move which then activates electrical stimulation that assists the desired ankle motion. A child with CP who has difficulty picking up their foot when trying to walk, trains with this novel system developed in our lab for up to 10 sessions. We then assess changes in their ankle motion in a seated position and when walking and changes in brain activation. We will mentor trainees on how to collect, process and interpret EEG and/ or biomechanical data in a very supportive environment that includes clinicians and bioengineers working closely together to improve the lives of children with motor disabilities.
This project will enable the student to:
- Learn how we design interventions to address functional relevant motor deficits aimed to improve their mobility
- Learn the basics of EEG analysis with strong mentoring and assistance from a highly qualified group of scientists/engineers.
- Assist in clinical experiments involving collection of EEG and/or EMG, and motion capture data during performance of functional tasks.
The student will have the added advantage of being in an active laboratory that is exploring different types of movement pathologies, utilizing novel motion and balance assessments including muscle and joint imaging techniques, and robotic development and testing for rehabilitation applications. We are located within the Clinical Center which is the world’s largest research hospital in the middle of the NIH campus.