Special Issue "Perception, Motor Imagery, and Action in Real Research and Virtual Environments"

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Sensory and Motor Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 January 2024 | Viewed by 2897

Special Issue Editor

Mossakowski Medical Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
Interests: neuroscience; symmetry/asymmetry in neuroscience; neuroplasticity; (bio)markers; modern technology and virtual reality; (bio)mathematical and (bio)statistical modeling

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Brain Sciences features articles/reviews about perception and motor cognition, motor imagery, and action in both real (using classical/conventional methods and techniques) and interactive virtual environments, focusing on multidisciplinary (observational, empirical, practical and theoretical) approaches to evaluate how human beings think, understand, and process the real or virtual world around them. In addition, many studies show virtual reality as a tool for investigating, for example, perception–action, motor imagery training/modeling, or navigation, and this is a fascinating new direction in the development of sensory, cognitive, and motor neuroscience in health and disease.

We encourage researchers and clinicians to present research findings and reviews on this topic, as well as related and key issues that may contribute to the future development and understanding of discoveries in neuroscience. 

Dr. Beata Sokołowska
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • perception
  • motor cognition
  • motor planning
  • motor imagery and action/behavior
  • skill learning and training/modeling
  • neuroscience
  • health and disorders
  • therapy and rehabilitation
  • virtual reality environments

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Article
Remote Assessment of Parkinson’s Disease Patients Amidst the COVID-19 Lockdown in Mexico
Brain Sci. 2023, 13(7), 1114; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13071114 - 22 Jul 2023
Viewed by 508
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges in managing patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) due to disruptions in healthcare services and the need for social distancing. Understanding the effects of COVID-19 on PD symptoms is crucial for optimizing patient care. We conducted a comprehensive [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges in managing patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) due to disruptions in healthcare services and the need for social distancing. Understanding the effects of COVID-19 on PD symptoms is crucial for optimizing patient care. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the data obtained during the period of COVID-19 lockdown, comparing it with analogous timeframes in 2018 and 2019. Our objective was to examine the influence of this unique circumstance on both motor and non-motor symptoms in patients with PD. Telemedicine was employed to assess symptoms using the Movement Disorder Society-sponsored Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS). Our findings revealed a notable worsening of symptoms, evidenced by a significant increase in the total MDS-UPDRS score. Specifically, there was an increase in Part III scores, reflecting changes in motor function. However, no differences were observed in Parts I or II, which pertain to non-motor symptoms. Additionally, patient satisfaction and the feasibility of telemedicine consultations were high, highlighting the efficacy of this alternative approach during the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic had a discernible impact on PD symptoms, with a significant worsening of motor symptoms observed during the lockdown period. Telemedicine was a valuable tool for remote assessment and follow-up, ensuring continuity of care for individuals with PD in the face of pandemic-related challenges. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Is Balance Training Using Biofeedback Effective in the Prophylaxis of Falls in Women over the Age of 65?
Brain Sci. 2023, 13(4), 629; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13040629 - 06 Apr 2023
Viewed by 738
Abstract
The paper aims to investigate the usefulness of training in improving mobility and reducing the risk of falls of patients with osteoarthritis by using a force plate and virtual reality as rehabilitation tools. The study involved 72 women randomly divided into two equal [...] Read more.
The paper aims to investigate the usefulness of training in improving mobility and reducing the risk of falls of patients with osteoarthritis by using a force plate and virtual reality as rehabilitation tools. The study involved 72 women randomly divided into two equal groups: the force plate training group, which underwent virtual balance training with visual motor feedback, and the gym training group, which received conventional balance training only. The functional balance assessment was performed before and after the rehabilitation by computerized posturography in a relaxed upright position with open and closed eyes, with visual motor feedback. In the FPT group in the feedback measurement, the mean radius of sways was 30% smaller after rehabilitation (p < 0.00002); the feedback coordination coefficient was more than 10% bigger after rehabilitation (p < 0.001) and reached 92%, which is excellent for elderly people. Total stagnation and stumbling reported by patients decreased after rehabilitation compared to the first examination. Both tested forms of training can contribute to reducing the risk of falls. However, a more significant improvement was obtained in the force plate training group perhaps because the physical effort on a force plate trains the precise movements needed to reposition the centre of gravity without generating excessive inertia forces responsible for loss of balance and falls. Perhaps the most desirable method of intervention is to train a person’s ability to perform slow but definite body movements. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Psychomotor Performance after 30 h of Sleep Deprivation Combined with Exercise
Brain Sci. 2023, 13(4), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13040570 - 28 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1099
Abstract
Sleep deprivation (SD) usually impairs psychomotor performance, but most experiments are usually focused on sedentary conditions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of 30 h of complete SD combined with prolonged, moderate exercise (SDE) on human psychomotor performance. Eleven [...] Read more.
Sleep deprivation (SD) usually impairs psychomotor performance, but most experiments are usually focused on sedentary conditions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of 30 h of complete SD combined with prolonged, moderate exercise (SDE) on human psychomotor performance. Eleven endurance-trained men accustomed to overnight exertion were tested twice: in well-slept and non-fatigued conditions (Control) and immediately after 30 h of SDE. They performed a multiple-choice reaction time test (MCRT) at rest and during each workload of the graded exercise test to volitional exhaustion. At rest, the MCRT was shorter after SDE than in the Control (300 ± 13 ms vs. 339 ± 11 ms, respectively, p < 0.05). During graded exercise, there were no significant differences in MCRT between groups, but the fastest reaction was observed at lower workloads after SDE (158 ± 7 W vs. 187 ± 11 W in Control, p < 0.05). The total number of missed reactions tended to be higher after SDE (8.4 ± 0.7 vs. 6.3 ± 0.8 in Control, p = 0.06). In conclusion, SDE is different from SD alone; however, well-trained men, accustomed to overnight exertion can maintain psychomotor abilities independently of the extent of central fatigue. Exercise can be used to enhance psychomotor performance in sleep-deprived subjects in whom special caution is required in order to avoid overload. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop