title: Somatosensory evoked potentials show plastic changes following a novel motor training task with the thumb.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Accumulating evidence indicates that plastic changes can be maladaptive in nature, resulting in movement and neurological disorders. The aim of this study was to further the understanding of these neurophysiological changes in sensorimotor integration (SMI) using somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and concurrent performance changes following a repetitive typing task.
  
  
  METHODS
  SEPs were recorded following median nerve stimulation at the wrist and performed pre and post intervention. 24 participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group which performed a 20min repetitive typing task or a control group which participated in a 20min period of mental recitation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The P22-N24 amplitude increased by 59.6%, compared to only 0.96% increase following the control. The P22-N30 SEP peak amplitude increased on average 13.4% following the motor training, compared to only 0.92% following the control. Significant improvement in reaction time when comparing performance of the motor task for the intervention group was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The N24 increase supports the involvement of cerebellar connections and the N30 increase provides further support for changes in SMI following motor learning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combining motor training tasks with electrophysiological techniques gives insight into the mechanisms of disordered SMI and whether the changes are adaptive or maladaptive.
authors: University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ont. L1H 7K4, Canada.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Andrew
authors: New Zealand College of Chiropractic, Centre for Chiropractic Research, 6 Harrison Road Mt Wellington, P.O. Box 112-044 Newmarket, Auckland 1149, New Zealand.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Haavik
authors: University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ont. L1H 7K4, Canada.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Dancey
authors: University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ont. L1H 7K4, Canada.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Yielder
authors: University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ont. L1H 7K4, Canada. Electronic address: bernadette.murphy@uoit.ca.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D013933:Thumb / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cerebellum; Motor learning; Repetitive movement; Sensorimotor integration (SMI); Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs)