Psychophysics of predictive motor control: a novel model of post-stroke fatigue

Many stroke survivors complain of a tiredness or fatigue that is different from normal tiredness, and sometimes lasts for months or years. 

A key feature of this fatigue is the feeling of high effort while performing simple actions. Normally, performing simple actions feels effortless because the brain anticipates the sensation associated with force production in muscles and supresses these sensations.

My hypothesis is that the brain system that suppresses the sensations produced from simple movements is faulty in people with fatigue. This means that even simple movements feel effortful. As part of my research, I will temporarily improve the brain’s ability to suppress sensations and investigate if this alleviates fatigue. I will use a number of techniques, including electroencephalograph to record brain activity directly, self-reported questionnaires and brain stimulation techniques. The study will explore neurological fatigue from a completely new perspective and provide a potential therapy for fatigue.