Changes in corticospinal drive to spinal motoneurones following tablet-based practice of manual dexterity

The use of touch screens, which require a high level of manual dexterity, has exploded since the development of smartphone and tablet technology. Manual dexterity relies on effective corticospinal control of finger muscles, and we therefore hypothesized that corticospinal drive to finger muscles can be optimized by tablet‐based motor practice. To investigate this, sixteen able‐bodied females practiced a tablet‐based game (3 × 10 min) with their nondominant hand requiring incrementally fast and precise pinching movements involving the thumb and index fingers. The study was designed as a semirandomized crossover study where the participants attended one practice‐ and one control session. Before and after each session electrophysiological recordings were obtained during three blocks of 50 precision pinch movements in a standardized setup resembling the practiced task. Data recorded during movements included electroencephalographic (EEG) activity from primary motor cortex and electromyographic (EMG) activity from first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and abductor pollicis brevis (APB) muscles. Changes in the corticospinal drive were evaluated from coupling in the frequency domain (coherence) between EEG–EMG and EMG–EMG activity. Following motor practice performance improved significantly and a significant increase in EEG‐EMG(APB) and EMG(APB)‐EMG(FDI) coherence in the beta band (15–30 Hz) was observed. No changes were observed after the control session. Our results show that tablet‐based motor practice is associated with changes in the common corticospinal drive to spinal motoneurons involved in manual dexterity. Tablet‐based motor practice may be a motivating training tool for stroke patients who struggle with loss of dexterity

Ariel - Volume 11 Number 1

Executive Editors Ellen Feldman Leonardo S. Nasca, Jr. Business Managers Barbara L. Davies Martin B. Getzow News Editor Aaron D. Bleznak Features Editor Dave Van Wagoner CAHS Editor Joan M. Greco Editorial Page Editor Samuel Markind Photography Editor Leonardo S. Nasca, Jr. Sports Editor Paul F. Mansfiel

Travel Writing Sampler: Thailand

Thesis (M.A.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1999"Travel Writing Sampler: Thailand" is a collection of articles and essays employing three different approaches to travel writing: straightforward overview of a place; information-oriented travel article; and personal essay travel narrative. The thematic focus of this collection is travel experiences in Thailand. Part One examines the evolution of the genre of travel writing. Part Two gives the reader an overview of Thailand. Part Three includes four information-oriented articles. Part Four offers examples of personal essay travel narratives. After a review of the literature in this field, I have concluded that successful travel writers balance elements of the information-oriented article and the personal essay travel narrative. Effective, lively travel writing combines the place being written about and the self--of the writer and traveler. <p