Banca de DEFESA: MAYARA JULLY COSTA DA SILVA

Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : MAYARA JULLY COSTA DA SILVA
DATE: 31/07/2026
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: Videoconferência
TITLE:

Cortical oscillatory dynamics and gait after cycling in Parkinson's disease 

KEY WORDS:
PAGES: 86
BIG AREA: Ciências Humanas
AREA: Psicologia
SUBÁREA: Psicologia Fisiológica
SPECIALTY: Psicobiologia
SUMMARY:

Many individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD), despite severe motor deficits and freezing of gait, retain the ability to ride a bicycle without difficulty. This phenomenon remains an open question regarding the functioning of the neural network governing locomotion. Beta oscillations in the basal ganglia and sensorimotor cortex are altered in PD; they exhibit excessive synchronization during movement and contribute to the disease's motor signs and symptoms. Studies since 2010 have shown that these beta oscillations are suppressed during cycling. Cycling also offers motor and non-motor benefits for individuals with PD. The aim of this study was to understand the immediate effects of cycling on gait and cortical oscillations in people with PD. This was a randomized, single-blind clinical trial. The study involved an alternating protocol comprising standing rest, walking, and stationary cycling at a low cadence (40–50 rpm). It consisted of two phases: (I) an acute, within-subject, pre- and post-intervention phase (a single session where all participants received the same intervention: cycling for 2 minutes) and (II) a subsequent randomized parallel-group phase. Gait characteristics and electrophysiological data from the participants were assessed in Phase I: before (Gait 1) and after the first cycling bout (Gait 2). In Phase II, participants were assigned to two randomized groups—Pedal1x and Pedal2x—which, respectively, rested or cycled a second time. Data collection utilized the Zeno electronic gait walkway (5 meters), with participants cycling at their preferred cadence. Electrophysiological signals were recorded via a 16-channel scalp EEG using the international 10–20 system. The protocol employed the "Park Bike" system, which featured a bicycle cadence synchronization mechanism and an interactive interface; visual feedback on cadence was displayed on a TV screen in real time during cycling. Twenty gait characteristics—spanning spatiotemporal and pressure-related parameters—showed differences when comparing pre- and post-cycling conditions (Gait 1 vs. Gait 2). Mean velocity increased from 63.5 cm/s to 72.5 cm/s (p < 0.001), and cadence rose from 95.3 steps/min to 98.8 steps/min (p < 0.001) after cycling. Step length increased from 79.7 cm to 86.97 cm (p = 0.003), accompanied by a decrease in mean step time (from 1.28 s to 1.23 s; p < 0.001) and total double-support time (from 0.49 s to 0.44 s; p = 0.002). Beta and low-gamma power were suppressed in frontal areas (F3 and FCz) and the left primary motor cortex (C4) during gait following cycling. Repeated cycling movements resulted in alpha and beta modulations across frontal, sensorimotor, and visual regions compared to a single bout of cycling. Post-cycling gait was faster, featured longer steps and reduced support time, and was more symmetrical; it also involved lower cortical demand and improved automaticity. These findings may help elucidate the cortical oscillatory dynamics in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) following cycling and the resulting effects on gait. Furthermore, they could inform future clinical cycling interventions to improve gait in this population, as well as public health and mobility policies aimed at ensuring equitable access to cycling.

The protocol was tested and proved to be effective for collecting EEG data and gait parameters in people with PD. Preliminary data analysis of EEG signals and spatio-temporal gait parameters were carried out to confirm this. Therefore, this study can help to understand how the cortical oscillatory dynamics of individuals with PD operate after cycling and the immediate effects on gait, as well as establishing relationships. Thus, it can support future implementations of clinical strategies that are easy to access, low-cost and non-invasive for the population with Parkinson's Disease.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 1216466 - JOHN FONTENELE ARAUJO
Externo ao Programa - 3083298 - RENAN CIPRIANO MOIOLI - UFRNExterna à Instituição - CAROLINE CUNHA DO ESPIRITO SANTO - IIN-ELS
Externo à Instituição - DENIS DELISLE RODRÍGUEZ - ISD
Externo à Instituição - GABRIEL ALVES VASILJEVIC MENDES - ISD