The role of proprioceptive feedback in Parkinsonian resting tremor

Abstract

In this paper we use a closed-loop force feedback system to investigate the effect of altering proprioceptive feedback on EEG and resting tremor in Parkinson's Disease. A velocity dependent counterforce simulating viscous friction was provided by haptic robots with simultaneous recording of kinematics, EMG and EEG while a patient was on and off dopaminergic medication' We were able to reduce the amplitude of the tremor. We also showed that force feedback shifts the center of EEG-EMG coherence posteriorly toward the somatosensory regions, which may have ramifications for noninvasive therapies.