The effect of voluntary modulation of the sensory-motor rhythm during different mental tasks on H reflex

Jarjees, M. and Vučković, A. (2016) The effect of voluntary modulation of the sensory-motor rhythm during different mental tasks on H reflex. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 106, pp. 65-76. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2016.06.005) (PMID:27318009)

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the possibility of the short-term modulation of the soleus H reflex through self-induced modulation of the sensory-motor rhythm (SMR) as measured by electroencephalography (EEG) at Cz. Methods: Sixteen healthy participants took part in one session of neuromodulation. Motor imagery and mental math were strategies for decreasing SMR, while neurofeedback was used to increase SMR. H reflex of the soleus muscle was elicited by stimulating tibial nerve when SMR reached a pre-defined threshold and was averaged over 5 trials. Results: Neurofeedback and mental math both resulted in the statistically significant increase of H reflex (p = 1.04·10− 6 and p = 5.47·10− 5 respectively) while motor imagery produced the inconsistent direction of H reflex modulation (p = 0.57). The average relative increase of H reflex amplitude was for neurofeedback 19.0 ± 5.4%, mental math 11.1 ± 3.6% and motor imagery 2.6 ± 1.0%. A significant negative correlation existed between SMR amplitude and H reflex for all tasks at Cz and C4. Conclusions: It is possible to achieve a short-term modulation of H reflex through short-term modulation of SMR. Various mental tasks dominantly facilitate H reflex irrespective of direction of SMR modulation. Significance: Improving understanding of the influence of sensory-motor cortex on the monosynaptic reflex through the self-induced modulation of cortical activity.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Jarjees, Mohammed Sabah and Vuckovic, Dr Aleksandra
• Authors: Jarjees, M., and Vučković, A.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
• Journal Name: International Journal of Psychophysiology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0167-8760
• ISSN (Online): 1872-7697
• Published Online: 16 June 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 Elsevier
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Psychophysiology 106: 65-76
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher