Characterizing the supraspinal sensorimotor control of walking using MRI-compatible system: a systematic review.
Yinglu Hong, Dapeng Bao, Brad Manor and 1 others
PMID 38443983WHAT IT FOUND
MRI-compatible devices can simulate walking while a patient lies still, showing brain activity in motor and sensory areas.
Most studies used young, healthy volunteers with small samples, so the findings do not yet explain gait disorders or guide clinical treatment.
Key findings
01Thirteen different MRI-compatible devices were used across 26 studies to simulate walking-related movements or foot stimulation.
02The evidence base is limited by small sample sizes, with study groups ranging from one to 67 participants, and only one study including people with stroke.
03Brain activation patterns were inconsistent across devices, and researchers noted that differences in device design likely caused these variations.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they found
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What it does not show
The evidence is low quality because most studies were small, with sample sizes as low as one participant. The population studied was almost exclusively healthy young adults, so the findings do not apply to patients with stroke, Parkinson's, or other gait disorders. Device designs varied significantly, making it difficult to compare results across studies. Safety testing and device validation were poorly reported, with many studies omitting details on how they minimized head motion or verified that the device actually simulated walking accurately.
Declared interests
The study was funded by the National Institutes on Aging. No other conflicts of interest were reported.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that the brain activity patterns seen in these scans reflect what happens during real-world walking in patients. The devices simulate only specific aspects of movement or sensation, and the studies were conducted in healthy volunteers lying down, not in people with mobility impairments.