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Concurrent M1 anodal and cerebellar cathodal tDCS enhances acquisition of a dexterous rhythmic-timing videogame skill
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  • Davin Greenwell,
  • Anthony Meek,
  • Hayami Nishio,
  • Brach Poston,
  • Zachary Riley
Davin Greenwell
Indiana University Indianapolis School of Health & Human Sciences

Corresponding Author:dgreenwe@iu.edu

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Anthony Meek
Indiana University Indianapolis School of Health & Human Sciences
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Hayami Nishio
University of Oregon Human Physiology Department
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Brach Poston
University of Nevada Las Vegas Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences
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Zachary Riley
Indiana University Indianapolis School of Health & Human Sciences
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Abstract

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that can alter the excitability of targeted brain regions and influence motor learning. This study investigates the effects of concurrent M1 anodal and cerebellar cathodal tDCS (M1a+CBc) on motor learning in a complex rhythm-timing video game task. Forty-two participants practiced the game with their non-dominant hand while receiving either M1a+CBc (n = 24) or sham tDCS (n = 18). Performance was assessed using a performance index (PI) incorporating keystroke timing accuracy, tap distribution ratio, and key error rate. A 2 x 5 mixed ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of stimulation group on PI gain scores across practice blocks (P = 0.021, ηp2 = 0.126), with M1a+CBc showing greater gains than sham. An ANCOVA, controlling for baseline performance, showed that the M1a+CBc group had significantly higher post-test PI scores compared to the sham group (P = 0.034, ηp2 = 0.110). These results suggest that concurrent M1a+CBc tDCS significantly enhances motor learning in complex tasks.
01 Dec 2024Submitted to European Journal of Neuroscience
04 Dec 2024Submission Checks Completed
04 Dec 2024Assigned to Editor
05 Dec 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
05 Dec 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned