Temporal Enhancement of Motor Control in Parkinson’s Disease patients Marta Bieńkiewicz PhD Student Queen’s University Belfast

Temporal Enhancement of Motor Performance Using Sensory Guides  Temporal control of the movement  Difficulties with timing the movement in Parkinson’s Disease  Using cues to stimulate perception action coupling

Clinical symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease Four major motor dysfunctions:  bradykinesia  rigidity  tremor at rest  postural instability  bradykinesia 1 /500 in UK Every year 10,000 are diagnosed (

Progressive neurodegeneration Anatomically Parkinson’s Disease exhibits a progressive degeneration of the substantia nigra cells that are interconnected with dopaminergic neurons in the striatum part of the basal ganglia.

Paradoxical kinesia Asmus et al. (2008). Kick and rush: Paradoxical kinesia in Parkinson disease.Neurology.2008; 71: 695 Perception and action coupling

Action Perceptual information available noneintermittentcontinuous Temporal control intrinsicintrinsic/extrinsicextrinsic PARADOXICAL KINESIA

Pilot – Parkinson’s Disease Self-pacedMoving ball

Pilot – Parkinson’s Disease Self-pacedNo vision – moving ball

HEIGHT OF THE RAMP

Research questions 1.) How PDs and healthy adults differ in temporal control of the movement under different spatial, temporal and informational constraints? 2.) Can paradoxical kinesia be explained by coupling the movement to the sensory information available?

Goals  Aritifical Sesory Guides in PD.  Goal-directed actions.  Effectiveness of cueing methods.

Focus 1.) Upper limb movements 2.) Turning 3.) Freezing

Special thanks to: Dr Cathy Craig Dr David Craig Will Young TEMPUS G Thank you for your attention!