quantitative electroencephalography and surface electromyography correlations upon predictable and unpredictable perturbation in older adults

Background: quantitative electroencephalography (qeeg) is a non-invasive method used to quantify electrical activity over the cortex. qeeg provides an accurate temporal resolution of the brain activity, making it a useful tool for assessing cortical function during challenging tasks. objective: this study aimed to investigate postural adjustments in older adults in response to an external perturbation. material and methods: in this observational study, nineteen healthy older adults were involved. a 32-channel qeeg was employed to track alterations in beta power on the electrodes over the two sensory-motor areas. integrated electromyographic activity (intemg) of the leg muscles was evaluated in response to perturbations under predictable and unpredictable conditions. results: the results indicated higher beta power during late-phase in the cz electrode in both conditions. intemg was significantly greater in the tibialis anterior muscle during both conditions in the cpa epoch. in predictable condition, a positive correlation was found between the beta power over c4 (r = 0.560, p = 0.013) and c3 (r = 0.458, p = 0.048) electrodes and tibialis anterior muscle amplitude, and between beta power in c4 and gastrocnemius amplitude (r = 0.525, p = 0.021). in unpredictable condition, there was a positive correlation between beta power over the c4 and the tibialis anterior amplitude (r = 0.580, p = 0.009) and also it over the c3 and the tibialis anterior amplitude (r = 0.452, p = 0.049). conclusion: our findings demonstrate that sensorimotor processing occurs in the brain during response to perturbation. furthermore, cortical activity appeared to be greatest during the recruitment of the muscles upon late-phase in older adults.