Masters Applied Projects

Project 5

The Stability of Arm Movement Variability Over Time

Student: Mariam El Sheikha

Mentors: Dr. Christopher Buneo – SBHSE
Dr. Stephen Helms Tillery – SBHSE
Dr. Paul VanGilder– SBHSE

YouTube Link: View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting

Zoom link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/88302504413

Time: 10am – noon

Abstract

Each repetition of a motor task will produce varied neural signals and a different result in the performance of the task. This is called movement variability. It is observable in all humans and is normal. However, our understanding of movement variability is very limited and the better we understand it, the more we can learn about target localization, movement planning and movement execution. These concepts have various applications in movement generation, diagnostics, and rehabilitation. In the present study, we looked at how movement variability is affected in the presence and absence of visual feedback. Furthermore, we observed how movement variability changes from day to day. Subjects were tasked with reaching for one of three memorized targets (left, middle and right). A virtual reality environment was used to collect the data which was analyzed using principal component analysis to determine movement variability’s principal axis. Due to the ongoing pandemic, it was difficult to collect data from subjects so a resampling method was used to produce more samples for statistical analysis.