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Background: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is increasingly used in the field of posture and gait to investigate patterns of cortical brain activation while people move freely. fNIRS methods, analysis and reporting of data vary greatly across studies which in turn can limit the replication of research, interpretation of findings and comparison across works., Research Question and Methods: Considering these issues, we propose a set of practical recommendations for the conduct and reporting of fNIRS studies in posture and gait, acknowledging specific challenges related to clinical groups with posture and gait disorders., Results: Our paper is organized around three main sections: 1) hardware set up and study protocols, 2) artefact removal and data processing and, 3) outcome measures, validity and reliability; it is supplemented with a detailed checklist., Significance: This paper was written by a core group of members of the International Society for Posture and Gait Research and posture and gait researchers, all experienced in fNIRS research, with the intent of assisting the research community to lead innovative and impactful fNIRS studies in the field of posture and gait, whilst ensuring standardization of research., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

• Neck posture improved immediately with the UpRight in Parkinson's disease (PD) during sitting and standing. • Neck, trunk and low back posture did not improve with the UpRight during walking in PD. • Gait was worse when walking with the UpRight device compared to without in PD. • Postural improvement related to attentional capabilities of people with PD. • Self-reported feedback suggests that participants felt the UpRight was beneficial. This interventional pilot study aimed to 1) examine whether a novel wearable vibro-tactile feedback device ('UpRight Go') is effective and feasible to improve postural alignment in Parkinson's disease (PD); 2) explore relationships between postural alignment and attention in PD; 3) explore effect of vibro-tactile device on balance and gait; and 4) gain initial feedback on the use of the vibro-tactile device in the laboratory and at home. 25 people with PD sat, stood and walked for two-minutes without and with the UpRight device attached to their upper backs to provide feedback on postural alignment in the laboratory. A sub-group (n = 12) wore the UpRight device at home for 60 min. per day for 7-days of postural feedback. Subjective feedback on use of the device was obtained in the laboratory and at the end of the 7-day period. The primary outcome for this study was posture measured by verticality of inertial measurement units (IMUs) at the neck, trunk and low back, which was done with and without the UpRight device. Secondary outcomes included clinical measures of posture, subjective feedback on the device, computerized attention measures, gait and balance. Neck postural alignment in PD was significantly improved (reduced neck flexion) with the UpRight during sitting and standing in both clinical measures (p = 0.005) and IMU outcomes (p = 0.046), but trunk and low back posture did not change. There was no change in postural alignment during walking with the UpRight. Postural alignment response was related to attentional capabilities. Many subjects (68 %) reported that they felt a benefit from the UpRight and most participants reported that the device was acceptable (Lab use; 72 %, Home use; 75 %). The UpRight Go feedback device may improve neck/upper-back posture in PD during sitting and standing, but not during walking. Postural alignment response to the device may depend on attentional mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This interventional pilot study aimed to 1) examine whether a novel wearable vibro-tactile feedback device ('UpRight Go') is effective and feasible to improve postural alignment in Parkinson's disease (PD); 2) explore relationships between postural alignment and attention in PD; 3) explore effect of vibro-tactile device on balance and gait; and 4) gain initial feedback on the use of the vibro-tactile device in the laboratory and at home.Methods: 25 people with PD sat, stood and walked for two-minutes without and with the UpRight device attached to their upper backs to provide feedback on postural alignment in the laboratory. A sub-group (n = 12) wore the UpRight device at home for 60 min. per day for 7-days of postural feedback. Subjective feedback on use of the device was obtained in the laboratory and at the end of the 7-day period. The primary outcome for this study was posture measured by verticality of inertial measurement units (IMUs) at the neck, trunk and low back, which was done with and without the UpRight device. Secondary outcomes included clinical measures of posture, subjective feedback on the device, computerized attention measures, gait and balance.Results: Neck postural alignment in PD was significantly improved (reduced neck flexion) with the UpRight during sitting and standing in both clinical measures (p = 0.005) and IMU outcomes (p = 0.046), but trunk and low back posture did not change. There was no change in postural alignment during walking with the UpRight. Postural alignment response was related to attentional capabilities. Many subjects (68 %) reported that they felt a benefit from the UpRight and most participants reported that the device was acceptable (Lab use; 72 %, Home use; 75 %).Conclusion: The UpRight Go feedback device may improve neck/upper-back posture in PD during sitting and standing, but not during walking. Postural alignment response to the device may depend on attentional mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) prior to gait initiation are impaired in people with Parkinson's disease (PD), particularly in those who report Freezing of Gait (FOG). External cues can improve gait parameters in people with PD, but the effects of visual cues on gait initiation are poorly known. The study aimed to (i) assess differences, during gait initiation, between people with PD with (FOG+) and without FOG (FOG-) and healthy controls (HC), (ii) explore the effect of disease severity on gait initiation and (iii) investigate the acute effect of visual cueing on gait initiation and straight-ahead gait. Twenty FOG- and twenty FOG+, and eighteen HC participated in this study. Participants were asked to perform self-initiated gait with and without visual cues presented as transverse taped lines on the floor. Gait initiation and gait were characterized with wireless inertial measurement units. Results showed that FOG+ had smaller APAs than HC and FOG-; although no differences were detected between FOG+ and FOG- when taking into account disease severity. Significant correlations between MDS-UPDRS III scores and gait initiation/straight-ahead gait variables confirmed that differences between FOG+ and FOG- were driven by disease severity. In gait initiation, visual cues elicited different behaviors in people with and without PD. Particularly, people with PD showed smaller and longer APAs, whereas HC showed longer first step durations, compared to baseline. However, the adopted visual cues improved gait speed and stride length in all individuals. These results suggest that people with PD, despite the presence of FOG, utilize different motor strategies, compared to HC, to adapt to the new biomechanical requirements of gait initiation dictated by the visual cues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People with PD who exhibit freezing of gait (FOG) also exhibit poor balance compared to those who do not freeze. However, balance is a broad construct that can be subdivided into subdomains that include dynamic balance (gait), anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) & gait initiation, postural sway in stance, and automatic postural responses (e.g., reactive stepping). Few studies have provided a robust investigation on how each of these domains is impacted by FOG, and no studies have compared balance across groups while rigorously controlling for disease severity.Methods: Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the relationships between FOG and balance domains constructed as latent variables and controlling for disease severity. Domains included: dynamic balance (gait), APAs, postural sway, and reactive stepping. Models were run relating domains to both the presence and severity of FOG.Results: Latent variables reflecting domains of Gait and APAs, but not postural sway or reactive stepping, were significantly related to the severity of FOG. Models for presence of FOG showed the same results, as Gait and APAs, but not postural sway or reactive stepping, were related to presence of FOG.Conclusion: These results are consistent with hypotheses that balance deficits in people with PD who freeze are most pronounced in gait and anticipatory postural adjustments. Reactive stepping and postural sway domains are less effected in PD patients who freeze compared to those who do not. These findings suggest that rehabilitative strategies focused on gait and APAs may be most effective for people with PD who freeze. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]