{"title":"Effects of visual impairment and its restoration on electroencephalogram during walking in aged females.","authors":"Mingxin Ao, Hongshi Huang, Xuemin Li, Yingfang Ao","doi":"10.1097/CM9.0000000000003549","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Visual input significantly influences cerebral activity related to locomotor navigation, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze the effects of chronic visual impairment and its rehabilitation on sensorimotor integration during level walking in patients with age-related cataract.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective case series enrolled 14 female patients (68.4 ± 4.7 years) with age-related cataract, scheduled for consecutive cataract surgeries at the Department of Ophthalmology in Peking University Third Hospital from June 2019 to June 2020. Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals during level walking were recorded using a portable EEG system before and 4 weeks after visual restoration. Walking speed was assessed using the Footscan system. Spectral power of the theta and alpha bands was analyzed with repeated-measures analysis of variance, with Assignment (rest and walking), Phase (preoperative and postoperative), and Electrode sites (F3, Fz, F4, O1, and O2) as within-subject factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared to the visual impairment state, theta band power significantly decreased after visual restoration (13.16 ± 1.58 μV2vs. 23.65 ± 3.48 μV2, P = 0.018). Theta activity was notably reduced during walking (17.24 ± 2.43 μV2vs. 37.86 ± 6.62 μV2, P = 0.017), while theta power at rest was not statistically significant difference between the two phases (9.44 ± 1.24 μV2vs. 9.08 ± 1.74 μV2, P = 0.864). Changes in walking speed were correlated with alterations in theta power at O1 (r = -0.574, P = 0.032) and O2 (r = -0.648, P = 0.012) during rest. Alpha band power remained stable during walking and was unaffected by visual status.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Chronic visual impairment from age-related cataract triggers enhanced cerebral activation of sensorimotor integration to compensate for visual decline during locomotion. This cerebral over-activation is effectively alleviated by visual restoration.</p>","PeriodicalId":10183,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medical Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.5000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Chinese Medical Journal","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1097/CM9.0000000000003549","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Visual input significantly influences cerebral activity related to locomotor navigation, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze the effects of chronic visual impairment and its rehabilitation on sensorimotor integration during level walking in patients with age-related cataract.
Methods: This prospective case series enrolled 14 female patients (68.4 ± 4.7 years) with age-related cataract, scheduled for consecutive cataract surgeries at the Department of Ophthalmology in Peking University Third Hospital from June 2019 to June 2020. Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals during level walking were recorded using a portable EEG system before and 4 weeks after visual restoration. Walking speed was assessed using the Footscan system. Spectral power of the theta and alpha bands was analyzed with repeated-measures analysis of variance, with Assignment (rest and walking), Phase (preoperative and postoperative), and Electrode sites (F3, Fz, F4, O1, and O2) as within-subject factors.
Results: Compared to the visual impairment state, theta band power significantly decreased after visual restoration (13.16 ± 1.58 μV2vs. 23.65 ± 3.48 μV2, P = 0.018). Theta activity was notably reduced during walking (17.24 ± 2.43 μV2vs. 37.86 ± 6.62 μV2, P = 0.017), while theta power at rest was not statistically significant difference between the two phases (9.44 ± 1.24 μV2vs. 9.08 ± 1.74 μV2, P = 0.864). Changes in walking speed were correlated with alterations in theta power at O1 (r = -0.574, P = 0.032) and O2 (r = -0.648, P = 0.012) during rest. Alpha band power remained stable during walking and was unaffected by visual status.
Conclusions: Chronic visual impairment from age-related cataract triggers enhanced cerebral activation of sensorimotor integration to compensate for visual decline during locomotion. This cerebral over-activation is effectively alleviated by visual restoration.
期刊介绍:
The Chinese Medical Journal (CMJ) is published semimonthly in English by the Chinese Medical Association, and is a peer reviewed general medical journal for all doctors, researchers, and health workers regardless of their medical specialty or type of employment. Established in 1887, it is the oldest medical periodical in China and is distributed worldwide. The journal functions as a window into China’s medical sciences and reflects the advances and progress in China’s medical sciences and technology. It serves the objective of international academic exchange. The journal includes Original Articles, Editorial, Review Articles, Medical Progress, Brief Reports, Case Reports, Viewpoint, Clinical Exchange, Letter,and News,etc. CMJ is abstracted or indexed in many databases including Biological Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts, Index Medicus/Medline, Science Citation Index (SCI), Current Contents, Cancerlit, Health Plan & Administration, Embase, Social Scisearch, Aidsline, Toxline, Biocommercial Abstracts, Arts and Humanities Search, Nuclear Science Abstracts, Water Resources Abstracts, Cab Abstracts, Occupation Safety & Health, etc. In 2007, the impact factor of the journal by SCI is 0.636, and the total citation is 2315.