Positive Impact of Practice Driven Plasticity on a Subsequent Motor Task

Abstract

Background: Motor skills are gained through practice reflecting neuroplasticity. Interest in inducing plasticity employing conventional (Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) etc.,) and non-conventional methods (Bimanual finger tapping, locomotor adaptation, sequence learning etc.,) for rehabilitation procedures has increased. Objective: The objectives of the study were; to induce plasticity through bimanual finger tapping task over training sessions; and to determine to what extent this practice driven plasticity effects the performance and learning of subsequent motor task. Method: Behavioral data from 39 healthy subjects was recorded. They were randomly divided into three equal groups. First group performed bimanual finger tapping task according to 2:1 ratio mode with feedback and bimanual button pressing task (T/F+B). Second group performed bimanual finger tapping task according to 2:1 ratio mode without feedback and bimanual button pressing task (T/NF+B). Third group only performed bimanual button pressing task (B). Task accuracy was determined for performance evaluation. Main Results: Accuracy for T/F was F (1,24) = 45.551, p<0.05, for T/NF was F (1,24) = 26.382, p=.00003 respectively and that for (B) was F (1,24) = 8.6817, p=.00704. At early stage, subjects performed T/F+B were better than those performed T/NF+B and B but at late stage there was no significant difference between T/F+B and T/NF+B. However, both T/F+B and T/NF+B performed better than B. Significance: The results show that finger tapping task has the potential to induce plasticity in human brain due to synchronization of hemispheres. This practice driven plasticity can be used to enhance the learning of a new motor task. Results reveal that the induced plasticity positively influences the learning of a subsequent motor task