Effects of anodal tDCS on laparoscopic skills and EEG

Abstract

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a promising non-invasive brain stimulation technique that has shown potential in enhancing cognitive and motor skills crucial for complex tasks such as laparoscopic surgery. This thesis investigates the effects of tDCS on motor planning and execution, specifically targeting the pre-frontal cortex, to determine its efficacy in improving unilateral and bilateral motor skills used in laparoscopic procedures. Employing a controlled experimental design, 20 subjects were divided into two groups: an active group that received real tDCS and a sham group that received placebo stimulation. Baseline EEG recordings and motor skill assessments were conducted, followed by tDCS sessions over three consecutive days. Postintervention measurements were taken to compare changes in EEG frequency bands and motor performance, with a follow-up session one week later to evaluate skill retention. The findings indicate significant improvements in motor skills, as demonstrated by increased task scores with p-values of 0.0006 for bimanual tasks and <0.00000001 for unimanual tasks. Additionally, the retention of unimanual tasks was notable, with follow-up week scores showing significant retention (p-value = 0.0021). Daily analysis during the stimulation phase revealed significant enhancements in performance with p-values of 0.0026, 0.0004, and 0.0003 for days 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The ERD/ERS plots show higher ERD in the Active Group’s post-intervention EEG recordings compared to the Sham group, indicating greater cortical engagement during motor tasks. The follow-up EEG recordings also show a higher ERS trend in the Active group, suggesting greater relaxation and efficiency during task performance compared to the Sham group. While EEG analysis showed enhanced power in specific frequency bands for the active group compared to the sham, these changes were not statistically significant, suggesting a visible trend rather than conclusive evidence of neuroplasticity. This research contributes to the understanding of tDCS as a tool for enhancing surgical training, proposing its integration into educational curriculums to accelerate skill acquisition and improve patient safety while reducing hospital resources. The results highlight the potential of tDCS in medical education and encourage further research into its long-term benefits and mechanisms