Sensorimotor Robotic Measures of tDCS- and HD-tDCS-Enhanced Motor Learning in Children
Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) enhances motor learning in adults. We have demonstrated that anodal tDCS and high-definition (HD) tDCS of the motor cortex can enhance motor skill acquisition in children, but behavioral mechanisms remain unknown. Robotics can objectively quantify compl...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2018-01-01
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| Series: | Neural Plasticity |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/5317405 |
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| author | Lauran Cole Sean P. Dukelow Adrianna Giuffre Alberto Nettel-Aguirre Megan J. Metzler Adam Kirton |
| author_facet | Lauran Cole Sean P. Dukelow Adrianna Giuffre Alberto Nettel-Aguirre Megan J. Metzler Adam Kirton |
| author_sort | Lauran Cole |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) enhances motor learning in adults. We have demonstrated that anodal tDCS and high-definition (HD) tDCS of the motor cortex can enhance motor skill acquisition in children, but behavioral mechanisms remain unknown. Robotics can objectively quantify complex sensorimotor functions to better understand mechanisms of motor learning. We aimed to characterize changes in sensorimotor function induced by tDCS and HD-tDCS paired motor learning in children within an interventional trial. Healthy, right-handed children (12–18 y) were randomized to anodal tDCS, HD-tDCS, or sham targeting the right primary motor cortex during left-hand Purdue pegboard test (PPT) training over five consecutive days. A KINARM robotic protocol quantifying proprioception, kinesthesia, visually guided reaching, and an object hit task was completed at baseline, posttraining, and six weeks later. Effects of the treatment group and training on changes in sensorimotor parameters were explored. Twenty-four children (median 15.5 years, 52% female) completed all measures. Compared to sham, both tDCS and HD-tDCS demonstrated enhanced motor learning with medium effect sizes. At baseline, multiple KINARM measures correlated with PPT performance. Following training, visually guided reaching in all groups was faster and required less corrective movements in the trained arm (H(2) = 9.250, p=0.010). Aspects of kinesthesia including initial direction error improved across groups with sustained effects at follow-up (H(2) = 9.000, p=0.011). No changes with training or stimulation were observed for position sense. For the object hit task, the HD-tDCS group moved more quickly with the right hand compared to sham at posttraining (χ2(2) = 6.255, p=0.044). Robotics can quantify complex sensorimotor function within neuromodulator motor learning trials in children. Correlations with PPT performance suggest that KINARM metrics can assess motor learning effects. Understanding how tDCS and HD-tDCS enhance motor learning may be improved with robotic outcomes though specific mechanisms remain to be defined. Exploring mechanisms of neuromodulation may advance therapeutic approaches in children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4eb0b48f2fc84f4a8e17ca85f97acabc |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2090-5904 1687-5443 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2018-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Neural Plasticity |
| spelling | doaj-art-4eb0b48f2fc84f4a8e17ca85f97acabc2025-02-03T07:24:54ZengWileyNeural Plasticity2090-59041687-54432018-01-01201810.1155/2018/53174055317405Sensorimotor Robotic Measures of tDCS- and HD-tDCS-Enhanced Motor Learning in ChildrenLauran Cole0Sean P. Dukelow1Adrianna Giuffre2Alberto Nettel-Aguirre3Megan J. Metzler4Adam Kirton5Department of Neurosciences, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, CanadaHotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, CanadaDepartment of Neurosciences, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, CanadaCumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, CanadaDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, AB T3B 6A8, CanadaHotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, CanadaTranscranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) enhances motor learning in adults. We have demonstrated that anodal tDCS and high-definition (HD) tDCS of the motor cortex can enhance motor skill acquisition in children, but behavioral mechanisms remain unknown. Robotics can objectively quantify complex sensorimotor functions to better understand mechanisms of motor learning. We aimed to characterize changes in sensorimotor function induced by tDCS and HD-tDCS paired motor learning in children within an interventional trial. Healthy, right-handed children (12–18 y) were randomized to anodal tDCS, HD-tDCS, or sham targeting the right primary motor cortex during left-hand Purdue pegboard test (PPT) training over five consecutive days. A KINARM robotic protocol quantifying proprioception, kinesthesia, visually guided reaching, and an object hit task was completed at baseline, posttraining, and six weeks later. Effects of the treatment group and training on changes in sensorimotor parameters were explored. Twenty-four children (median 15.5 years, 52% female) completed all measures. Compared to sham, both tDCS and HD-tDCS demonstrated enhanced motor learning with medium effect sizes. At baseline, multiple KINARM measures correlated with PPT performance. Following training, visually guided reaching in all groups was faster and required less corrective movements in the trained arm (H(2) = 9.250, p=0.010). Aspects of kinesthesia including initial direction error improved across groups with sustained effects at follow-up (H(2) = 9.000, p=0.011). No changes with training or stimulation were observed for position sense. For the object hit task, the HD-tDCS group moved more quickly with the right hand compared to sham at posttraining (χ2(2) = 6.255, p=0.044). Robotics can quantify complex sensorimotor function within neuromodulator motor learning trials in children. Correlations with PPT performance suggest that KINARM metrics can assess motor learning effects. Understanding how tDCS and HD-tDCS enhance motor learning may be improved with robotic outcomes though specific mechanisms remain to be defined. Exploring mechanisms of neuromodulation may advance therapeutic approaches in children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/5317405 |
| spellingShingle | Lauran Cole Sean P. Dukelow Adrianna Giuffre Alberto Nettel-Aguirre Megan J. Metzler Adam Kirton Sensorimotor Robotic Measures of tDCS- and HD-tDCS-Enhanced Motor Learning in Children Neural Plasticity |
| title | Sensorimotor Robotic Measures of tDCS- and HD-tDCS-Enhanced Motor Learning in Children |
| title_full | Sensorimotor Robotic Measures of tDCS- and HD-tDCS-Enhanced Motor Learning in Children |
| title_fullStr | Sensorimotor Robotic Measures of tDCS- and HD-tDCS-Enhanced Motor Learning in Children |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sensorimotor Robotic Measures of tDCS- and HD-tDCS-Enhanced Motor Learning in Children |
| title_short | Sensorimotor Robotic Measures of tDCS- and HD-tDCS-Enhanced Motor Learning in Children |
| title_sort | sensorimotor robotic measures of tdcs and hd tdcs enhanced motor learning in children |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/5317405 |
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