This TEDx Talk by Christopher Patrick focuses on improving the quality of life for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. Patrick, a movement neuroscientist, uses engaging methods, including a game of Simon Says, to illustrate the importance of movement and the impact of MS on mobility. He then discusses his research on understanding and treating mobility impairments in MS patients.
The provided transcript doesn't offer specific details about the different ways individuals adapted their walking patterns after split-belt treadmill training beyond mentioning some took longer steps on the faster belt, others sped up that leg, and some took shorter steps on the slower belt. More detail is needed within the transcript to formulate a more complete answer.
The split belt treadmill is a specialized piece of equipment used in Christopher Patrick's lab. Unlike a regular treadmill with one continuous belt, it has two independent belts, one for each leg. This allows researchers to manipulate the speed of each belt individually. By adjusting the speeds, they can encourage individuals with asymmetrical gait patterns (like those with MS) to adjust their walking pattern and improve symmetry. The faster belt is typically assigned to the leg that initially takes a shorter step, prompting the brain to adjust the movement of that leg.
The split belt treadmill training resulted in individuals with initially asymmetrical walking patterns adapting and becoming more symmetrical for a period of time after the training. However, the ways in which individuals adapted varied. Some participants achieved symmetry by taking a longer step with the leg on the faster belt, aligning with the researchers' predictions. Others sped up the leg on the faster belt, or shortened the step on the slower belt. The research is ongoing to better predict who will adapt in which way.
