Bilateral sequential motor cortex stimulation and skilled task performance with non-dominant hand.
OBJECTIVE
To check whether bilateral sequential stimulation (BSS) of M1 with theta burst stimulation (TBS), using facilitatory protocol over non-dominant M1 followed by inhibitory one over dominant M1, can improve skilled task performance with non-dominant hand more than either of the unilateral stimulations do. Both, direct motor cortex (M1) facilitatory non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) and contralateral M1 inhibitory NIBS were shown to improve motor learning.


METHODS
Forty right-handed healthy subjects were divided into 4 matched groups which received either ipsilateral facilitatory (intermittent TBS [iTBS] over non-dominant M1), contralateral inhibitory (continuous TBS [cTBS] over dominant M1), bilateral sequential (contralateral cTBS followed by ipsilateral iTBS), or placebo stimulation. Performance was evaluated by Purdue peg-board test (PPT), before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 30min after (T2) an intervention.


RESULTS
In all groups and for both hands, the PPT scores increased at T1 and T2 in comparison to T0, showing clear learning effect. However, for the target non-dominant hand only, immediately after BSS (at T1) the PPT scores improved significantly more than after either of unilateral interventions or placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
M1 BSS TBS is an effective intervention for improving motor performance.


CONCLUSIONS
M1 BSS TBS seems as a promising tool for motor learning improvement with potential uses in neurorehabilitation.
University of Belgrade, Institute for Medical Research, Department of Neurophysiology, ul. Dr Subotića 4, Belgrade, Serbia.
Milan B
MB
Jelić
University of Belgrade, Institute for Medical Research, Department of Neurophysiology, ul. Dr Subotića 4, Belgrade, Serbia. Electronic address: sasa.filipovic@imi.bg.ac.rs.
Saša R
SR
Filipović
University of Belgrade, Institute for Medical Research, Department of Neurophysiology, ul. Dr Subotića 4, Belgrade, Serbia.
Sladjan D
SD
Milanović
University of Belgrade, Institute for Medical Research, Department of Neurophysiology, ul. Dr Subotića 4, Belgrade, Serbia.
Vuk B
VB
Stevanović
University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Rehabilitation, ul. Dr. Subotića 8, Belgrade, Serbia; Klinika za Rehabilitaciju "Dr Miroslav Zotović", ul. Sokobanjska 13, Belgrade, Serbia.
Ljubica
L
Konstantinović
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006225:Hand / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013826:Theta Rhythm; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Brain plasticity; Brain stimulation; Motor learning; Neurorehabilitation; Theta burst stimulation; Transcranial magnetic stimulation