Connectivity between neural dynamics and lower limb coordination during gait in individuals with unilateral transfemoral amputation.

BACKGROUND

Individuals with unilateral transfemoral amputation (uTFA) often show substantial gait deviations compared to non-disabled individuals. Coordination patterns derived from continuous relative phase (CRP) have been used to reflect changes in central nervous system (CNS). Understanding how cortical dynamics are associated with coordination patterns, or their connectivity, may provide insight into gait control in individuals with uTFA and inform prosthetic gait rehabilitation.

METHODS

Twelve individuals with uTFA and age-matched non-disabled controls participated in this study. Synchronous motion capture and electroencephalograph (EEG) signals were recorded during treadmill walking. Neural activities were recorded using a 64-channel EEG system. Following artifact removal and calculation of the CRP parameters, correlations between segment coordination and neural dynamics were analyzed.

RESULTS

A strong correlation between neural dynamics and coordination patterns in the intact limb of individuals with uTFA during both stance and swing phases was demonstrated. No significant correlations were found for the prosthetic limb or for either limb in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that CRP may be sensitive to CNS-related control processes. The intact limb of individuals with uTFA appears to rely more heavily on task dependent cortical involvement, whereas steady-state gait in non-disabled individuals may depend more on automated spinal/subcortical locomotor mechanisms. Therefore, gait regulation may involve distinct cortical biomechanical coupling patterns between the intact and prosthetic limbs in individuals with uTFA.