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A proof-of-concept (POC) study for using Phybrata sensing for assessing sensory reweighting and cognitive associations in neurodivergent youth
Poster Session A - Saturday, March 7, 2026, 3:00 – 5:00 pm PST, Fairview/Kitsilano Ballrooms
Budhachandra Khundrakpam1 (budhachandra.khundrakpam@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca), Erfan Ghalibaf1, Catherine Pagiatakis1, Parastoo Hajiakhondi Meybodi1, Francis Thibault1, Nicholas Vanlian2, Nathalie Jack2,3, Rachel Cluett2,3, Louise Loiselle4, John Ralston5, Armando Bertone2,3; 1National Research Council Canada, 2PNLab, 3McGill University, 4Summit School, 5Neursantys
Background: Postural control (PC) differs in neurodivergent youth and is linked to their complex cognitive, motor, and behavioral profiles. Sensory reweighting —the brain’s dynamic integration of visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive inputs based on reliability—is a key component of PC. PC is commonly assessed with traditional methods in special-needs settings for progress monitoring. Aims: This proof-of-concept study leverages a novel, practical, non-invasive method - phybrata sensing (physiological vibration acceleration) - to quantify relationships among sensory reweighting, brain activity, and cognitive ability across key developmental stages. Methods. 30 children and adolescents will complete cognitive (WASI-II), attentional (CPT-3), and motor coordination (BOT-2) measures. Sensory reweighting will be assessed with phybrata sensing for four 1-minute standing conditions: eyes open on hard floor, eyes closed on hard floor, eyes open on soft floor and eyes closed on soft floor. EEG activity will be recorded from 10 regions implicated in vestibular/somatosensory processing. Results: In pilot data from four neurotypical adults, EC conditions showed higher 0.1–0.5 Hz power in phybrata-derived power spectral density (PSD) than their respective EO conditions across both surfaces, consistent with increased vestibular weighting when visual and/or proprioceptive cues are less reliable. In EEG-derived PSD, posterior alpha was lower in EC than EO for both surfaces, indicating occipital-parietal alpha desynchronization during visual deprivation. Discussion: Findings support phybrata sensing as a practical, sensitive measure of sensory reweighting that aligns with sensory-specific neural activity. Within an integrated developmental framework, phybrata sensing has potential to improve assessment protocols for professionals working with neurodivergent youth.
Topic Area: METHODS: Other
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March 7 – 10, 2026