Project summary
Cognitive decline and balance deterioration are seen with ageing. While they are often viewed as different functions, recent evidence has suggested their bidirectional interaction. For example, people with cognitive impairment can experience deficits in balance control; frailty can exacerbate age-related decline in cognitive function. Research has shown that the ability to maintain postural stability during walking while performing a cognitive task, termed cognitive dual-task walking, predicts fall risks in older people. This highlights the importance of treating both physical and cognitive function to improve health. However, studies using cognitive dual-task training to improve balance in older adults report unequivocal results. This hinders the development of the dual-task training to be used clinically. The inconclusive findings may be due to unclear mechanisms underlying cognitive and balance interactions in ageing. This project aims to address this limitation by examining the extent to which neural modulation of cognitive-motor interaction with ageing using a cognitive dual-task paradigm, followed by an interventional study to determine whether cognitive dual-task training reverses the age-related changes in the neural modulation of cognitive-motor interaction.
Research methods used in this project include neuroimaging, non-invasive brain stimulation, peripheral electrical stimulation, electromyography, and behavioural testing. The project also involves delivering group exercise interventions with technology in older adults. Outcomes of the project will advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying dual tasking and, importantly, generate a technology-based exercise programme to alleviate age-related declines in cognitive function and balance control. This will allow exercise to be carried out outside a hospital, e.g. home environment, supporting the concept of living longer and healthier, and is therefore timely in the context of ageing populations.
The successful candidate will undertake a PhD program, based within the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences under the supervision of Dr Shinyi Chloe Chiou, along with other academics within the School, School of Psychology, and the Centre for Human Brain Health. This project will provide the selected student with unique access to numerous research opportunities across a broad range of disciplines (brain sciences, motor control and learning, rehabilitation, psychology, geriatrics). The project involves working with older adults in the laboratory and in our collaborating hospitals. The project also has a component of rehabilitation with technology (e.g. mobile applications). The potential candidate would ideally have some experience with cognitive neuroscience, motor neuroscience, and working with human adults, although full training will be provided.
Funding notes
This project is part of the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Programme (MIBTP) and falls within the MIBTP Integrated Understanding of Health - spanning Ageing, Diet and Health, Pharmaceuticals and Regenerative Biology. This is a Standard Studentship in which students undertake an initial 10 weeks of training in the methods of modern integrative bioscience, followed by two 12-week mini-research projects and one 12-week professional placement. Our PhD training aims to produce mature, research-skilled graduates primed to succeed in their careers.
Links to the relevant MIBTP pages are below:
https://warwick.ac.uk/mibtp/
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/mibtp/index.aspx
Additional information
Projects are open to both home and International students (EU students are now classed as international). BBSRC have indicated that up to 30% of the cohort are allowed to be international students.
UoB are waiving International Fees, however international students will still have to pay for their own visas and a healthcare surcharge which is approximately £2500.
For more information, please contact Dr Shinyi Chloe Chiou at [Email Address Removed]
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