Published Papers

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Spirituality/Near-Death Experiences/After-Death Communication

Edwards, L, Woollacott, MH. Analysis of Spiritual Awakening in a Kundalini Tradition: Psychological Change and Spiritual Growth. In press, Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 2022.

Williams, B, Woollacott, MH. Conceptual cognitions and awakening: Insights from non-dual Saivism and neuroscience. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 53: 119-139, 2021.

Woollacott M, Roe CA, Cooper CE, Lorimer D, Elsaesser E. Perceptual phenomena associated with spontaneous experiences of after-death communication: Analysis of visual, tactile, auditory and olfactory sensations. Explore (NY). 2021 Feb 23:S1550-8307(21)00042-2. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2021.02.006. Online ahead of print.

Woollacott, MH, Kason, Y, Park. RD. Investigation of the phenomenology, physiology and impact of spiritually transformative experiences – kundalini awakening. Explore (NY). 2020 Jul 25:S1550-8307(20)30223-8. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2020.07.005. Online ahead of print.PMID: 32753262. READ MORE

Woollacott M, Peyton B. Verified account of near-death experience in a physician who survived cardiac arrest. Explore (NY). 2020 Mar 19: S1550-8307(20)30111-7. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2020.03.005. Online ahead of print.PMID: 32245708. READ MORE

Woollacott, M., Shumway-Cook, A. The mystical experience and its neural correlates. Journal of Near-Death Studies,2020; 38: 3–25. https://doi.org/10.17514/JNDS-2020-38-1-p3-25. READ MORE

Schwartz GE, Woollacott M, Schwartz SA, Baruss I, Beauregard M, Dossey L, Kafatos M, Miller L, Mossbridge J, Radin D, Tart C. The Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences: Integrating Consciousness into Mainstream Science. Explore (NY). 2018 Mar – Apr;14(2):111-113. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2017.12.006.

 

Meditation/Tai Chi 

Burgos P, Cruz San Martin G, Hawkes, TD, Rojas-Sepulveda I, Woollacott MH. Behavioural and ERP correlates of long-term mental and physical training on a demanding switch taskFront. Psychol. – Movement Science and Sport Psychology, Feb 23;12:569025. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.569025. eCollection 2021.

Tang YY, Woollacott M  Editorial: The Physiological and Genetic Influences of Meditation and Tai Chi on Mental, Emotional, and Movement Regulation.Front Physiol. 2020 Oct 23;11:581841. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2020.581841. eCollection 2020.

Taraban, O., Heide, F.,Woollacott, M. et al. The Effects of a Mindful Listening Task on Mind-Wandering. Mindfulness. doi:10.1007/s12671-016-0615-8. 2016.

Hawkes TD, Manselle W, Woollacott MH. Tai Chi and meditation-plus-exercise benefit neural substrates of executive function. A cross-sectional, controlled study. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine; 11(4):279-88. 2014. READ MORE

Hawkes TD, Manselle W, Woollacott MH. Cross-sectional comparison of executive attention function in normally aging long-term T’ai chi, meditation, and aerobic fitness practitioners versus sedentary adults. J Altern Complement Med. 2014 Mar;20(3):178-84 READ MORE

Chan D, Woollacott M.H. Effects of level of meditation experience on attentional focus: is the efficiency of executive or orientation networks improved? J. Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2007; 13:651-657. READ MORE

Gatts S, Woollacott MH. Neural mechanisms underlying balance improvements with short term Tai Chi training. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research 2006; 18:7-19. READ MORE

Gatts S, Woollacott MH. How Tai Chi improves balance: biomechanics of recovery to a walking slip in impaired seniors. Gait and Posture, 2007;25:205-14. READ MORE

 

Music Performance

Verrel J, Woollacott MH, Lindenberger U. Articulated coordination of the right arm underlies control of bow parameters and quick bow reversals in skilled cello bowingFront Psychol. 2014 Aug 19;5:885. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00885. eCollection 2014. READ MORE

Verrel J, Pologe S, Manselle W, Lindenberger L, Woollacott M. Exploiting biomechanical degrees of freedom for fast and accurate changes in movement direction: coordination underlying quick bow reversals during continuous cello bowing. Front Hum Neurosci. 2013. Apr 26;7:157. READ MORE

Verrel J, Pologe S, Manselle W, Lindenberger U, Woollacott M. Coordination of degrees of freedom and stabilization of task variables in a complex motor skill: expertise-related differences in cello bowing. Exp Brain Res. 2013 Feb;224(3):323-34. READ MORE

Chen J, Woollacott M, Pologe S, Moore GP. Stochastic aspects of motor behavior and their dependence on auditory feedback in experienced cellists. Front Hum Neurosci. 2013 Jul 31;7:419. READ MORE

Chen J, Woollacott MH, Pologe S Moore G. Pitch and space maps of skilled cellists: accuracy, variability and error correction. Experimental Brain Research 2008; 188: 493-503. READ MORE

Chen J, Woollacott MH, Pologe S. Characteristics of Shifting Movements in Cellists. Experimental Brain Research, 2006 Oct;174:467-76. Epub 2006 Apr 27. READ MORE

 

Balance, Gait and Reaching: Development, Aging and Rehabilitation

Santamaria V, Rachwani J, Saussez G, Bleyenheuft Y, Dutkowsky J, Gordon AM, Woollacott MH. The Seated Postural & Reaching Control Test in Cerebral Palsy: A Validation Study. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 2020 Jan 3:1-29. doi: 10.1080/01942638.2019.1705456.

Santamaria V, Rachwani J, Manselle W, Saavedra SL, Woollacott MThe Impact of Segmental Trunk Support on Posture and Reaching While Sitting in Healthy Adults. J Mot Behav. 2018 Jan-Feb;50(1):51-64. doi: 10.1080/00222895.2017.1283289. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 28350227

Curtis DJ, Woollacott M, Bencke J, Lauridsen HB, Saavedra S, Bandholm T, Sonne-Holm SThe functional effect of segmental trunk and head control training in moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial. Dev Neurorehabil. 2017 Jan 3:1-10. doi: 10.1080/17518423.2016.1265603. [Epub ahead of print].

McGeehan M, Woollcott M, Dalton B. Vestibular control of standing balance is enhanced with increased cognitive load. Exp Brain Res. 2017 Apr;235(4):1031-1040. doi: 10.1007/s00221-016-4858-3.

da Costa CS, Saavedra SL, Rocha NA, Woollacott MH. Effect of Biomechanical Constraints on Neural Control of Head Stability in Children With Moderate to Severe Cerebral Palsy. Phys Ther. 2017 Mar;97(3):374-385. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20150418. Epub 2016 Oct 6.

Bogost MD Burgos PI, Little CE, Woollacott MH, Dalton BH. Electrocortical Sources Related to Whole-Body Surface Translations during a Single- and Dual-Task Paradigm. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 2016 Oct 18;10:524. eCollection.

Santamaria V, Rachwani J, Saavedra S, Woollacott M. Effect of Segmental Trunk Support on Posture and Reaching in Children With Cerebral Palsy. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2016 Fall;28(3):285-93. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000273.

Rachwani J, Santamaria V, Saavedra SL, Woollacott MH. The development of trunk control and its relation to reaching in infancy: a longitudinal study. Front Hum Neurosci. 2015 Feb 24;9:94. READ MORE

Curtis DJ, Hansen L, Luun M, Løberg R, Woollacott M, Saavedra S, Sonne-Holm S, Berggreen S, Bencke J. Measuring Postural Sway in Sitting: A New Segmental Approach. J Mot Behav. 2015 Mar 2:1-9. [Epub ahead of print]

Rachwani J, Santamaria V, Saavedra SL, Wood S, Porter F, Woollacott MH. Segmental trunk control acquisition and reaching in typically developing infants.  Exp Brain Res. 2013 Jul;228(1):131-9. doi: 10.1007/s00221-013-3544-y. Epub 2013 May 17. READ MORE

Saavedra SL, Woollacott MH Segmental contributions to trunk control in children with moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015 Feb 2. pii: S0003-9993(15)00092-1. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2015.01.016.READ MORE

Little CE, Woollacott M. EEG Measures Reveal Dual-Task Interference in Postural Performance in Young Adults. Exp Brain Res. 2015 Jan;233(1):27-37. READ MORE

Curtis DJ, Butler P, Saavedra S, Bencke J, Kallemose T, Sonne-Holm S, Woollacott MThe central role of trunk control in the gross motor function of children with cerebral palsy: a retrospective cross-sectional study. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2015 Apr;57(4):351-7. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.12641. Epub 2014 Nov 20

Schaefer S, Schellenbach M, Lindenberger U, Woollacott M. Walking in High-Risk Settings: Do Older Adults Still Prioritize Gait when Distracted By a Cognitive Task? Experimental Brain Research, DOI 10.1007/s00221-014-4093-8, 2014. READ MORE

Little C, Woollacott M. Effect of Attentional Interference on Balance Recovery in Older Adults. Exp Brain Res. 2014 Jul;232(7):2049-60. doi: 10.1007/s00221-014-3894-0. Epub 2014 Mar 18. PMID: 24639065. READ MORE

Fujimoto M, Hsu W-L, Woollacott MH, Chou L-S. Ankle dorsiflexor strength relates to the ability to restore balance during a backward support surface translation. Gait & Posture 2013; 38: 812-817. READ MORE

Hsu, W-L, Chou L-S, Woollacott, MHAge-related changes in joint coordination during balance recovery. Age (Dordr). 2013 Aug;35(4):1299-309.

Saavedra SL, Van Donkelaar P, Woollacott MH.Learning about gravity: segmental assessment of upright control as infants develop independent sitting. J Neurophysiol. 2012 Oct;108(8):2215-29.

Boonyong, S, van Donkelaar P, L.S. Chou LS, Woollacott MDevelopment of postural control during gait in typically developing children: the effects of dual-task conditions.. Gait Posture. 2012; 35: 428-434. READ MORE

Hawkes, T, Siu, K-C, Silsupadol P, Woollacott M. Why does older adults’ balance become less stable when walking and performing a secondary task? Examination of attentional switching abilities. Gait Posture. 2012 Jan;35(1):159-63.

Lamont R, Morris ME, Woollacott MH, Brauer SG. Community walking in people with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinsons Dis. 2012. PMID: 22191078.

Butler PB, Saavedra S, Sofranac M, Jarvis SE, Woollacott MHRefinement, reliability, and validity of the segmental assessment of trunk control. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2010; 22:246-57. READ MORE

Silsupadol P, Shumway-Cook A, Lugade V, van Donkelaar P, Chou L-S, Mayr U,
Woollacott M. Effects of Single- vs. Dual-task training on Balance Performance in Older Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized Controlled TrialArch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009 Mar;90(3):381-7. PMCID: PMC2768031

Woollacott M, Shumway-Cook A. Attention and the control of posture and gait.  Gait & Posture, 2002 16: 1-14.

Shumway-Cook A, Woollacott M, Kerns K, Baldwin M. The effects of two types of cognitive tasks on postural stability in older adults with and without a history of falls. J Gerontology 1997; 52:M232-240.