Bodily Manifestations of Affects: The Example of Gait and Virtual Reality

Gait, cognition and emotion are closely related. Walk is not only the automatic process classically described. A harmonious functioning of prefrontal cortex is needed in fluidity of walk. Emotion is also involved in gait disturbances. A first exploratory study showed that in Fear of Falling (FOF) emotion interferes with gait. Executive functions and parameters of walk are modified. In a second study, schizophrenia patients exhibit higher stride-to-stride variability while dual-tasking. This result shows that impairment of gait is also present in clinical psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. In this disorder, gait might also be related with the severity of the symptoms. New technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality are highly interesting in so far that they allow therapists to use body sensations in populations that could suffer from cognitive impairment. Results of two exploratory studies with patients suffering from Parkinson Disease and Multiple Sclerosis showed that treatment in VR is efficient in FOF in neurological population experiencing physical limitation of walk. Patients can be at least partially relieved from FOF, even if their walk is still physically impaired. Well being and autonomy should be the aim of the intervention.