Two-dimensional coherence for measurement of asymmetry in postural steadiness

Gait Posture. 2009 Jan;29(1):1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2008.05.011. Epub 2008 Jul 7.

Abstract

Two-dimensional magnitude squared coherence (2D-MSC) is developed to compare the two-valued time series which represent the center of pressure (COP) under each foot. A sinusoidal multiple taper spectral estimator is used to reduce bias and improve spectral resolution. The measure is applied to evaluate symmetry in the dual-plate postural steadiness time series obtained from healthy young and elderly volunteers, and patients with Huntington's Disease (HD), a group in which asymmetries in postural steadiness are anticipated. The results demonstrate that the 2D-MSC is a robust measure of inter-limb coordination that may be of value in studies of aging and neurologic disease.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Female
  • Foot / physiology
  • Fourier Analysis
  • Humans
  • Huntington Disease / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postural Balance / physiology*
  • Pressure
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted