Motor Task

 

 

In this task the patient will perform two different motor activities: Cued Movement and 2D. The Cued Movement portion is designed around a 15-minute block. During the block, the participant will be in supine position with their arms rested on their side in neutral position. A computer monitor placed in front of them will display an image and a text that will cue the patient to perform one of four movements (shoulder abduction, elbow flexion, wrist pronation, thumb extension). The movement will be performed with the arm contralateral to most implanted sEEG electrodes. The patient will have four seconds to perform the movement and return to neutral position, with four seconds of rest between each task. The patient will be performing each particular movement 25 times in random order, for a total of 100 movements during the block. After the block is complete the patient will rest for two minutes. The patient may repeat the block after two minutes of rest if interested. The 2D portion has a similar format to the Cued Movement portion. However, during the block, the participant will perform a center-out task using a tablet. They will move the cursor from the center of the screen to one of four possible targets.  The patient will control the cursor with the hand contralateral to most implanted sEEG electrodes. For each trial, the patient will have up to six seconds to reach the target, with two seconds of rest between each trial. The block consists of 80 trials, with each of the four targets randomly cued twenty times. After the block is complete the patient will rest for two minutes. The patient may repeat the block after two minutes of rest if interested. This task can run at any time during iEEG recordings.

Task-specific Inclusion and Exclusion criteria:

 

Inclusion criteria:

  • Given that this task relies on simple motor performance and does not rely on significant cognitive engagement, we are able to perform this task with patients at later times during their EMU stay.

Exclusion criteria:

  • Patients who have motor disabilities preventing them from performing the required activities.

 

Dr. Mohamad Kesserwan (neurosurgery resident) is administering this task.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Muller