The Moray House School of Education
Research - Themes & Projects

Researcher

Professor Dave N Lee (Physical Education, Sport & Leisure Studies, School of Education) University of Edinburgh

Keywords

Cerebellar ataxia, perceptuo-motor control

Abstract

In purposive activities a person has to control the closure of gaps between where they are now and where they want to be (e.g. the gap between their hand and a cup when reaching for it). Experiments with able-bodied individuals indicate that gap-closing follows a general pattern described by a mathematical formula. This 'movement formula' is generated and managed in the brain to suit the task in hand. Ataxic persons have difficulty making movements that fit the normal formula. It seems their brains are inefficient at generating /managing it. Pilot work with an ataxic participant has demonstrated that moving to a 'sonic guide', where pitch followed the 'movement formula', producing a 'whoop' sound, helped improve coordination.

We propose to analyse movement in cerebellar ataxic patients, using high-speed motion capture and force measurements, and apply what we learn to develop, with the ataxic participants, cost-effective, user-friendly devices, based on the 'sonic guide', together with movement measurement technology for assessing movement control. The intention is that these devices and technology could be used by therapists for treating and assessing ataxic persons, and by clinicians for diagnosis. Thus, the project could in the long term benefit any number of people suffering from ataxia.

Publications

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Start /end date

February 2008 - February 2011