Masters Applied Projects
Masters Applied Projects
Project 13
Project 13
Effects of Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation of the Trigeminal Nerve on Peak Velocity During Learning Tasks and Its Relationship to Directional Error
Student:
Michael Grapp
Mentors:
Dr. Christopher Buneo, PhD - Arizona State University, SBHSE
Dr. Stephen Helms Tillery, PhD - Arizona State University, SBHSE
Dr. Marco Santello, PhD - Arizona State University, SBHSE
YouTube Link:
View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting
Zoom Link:
https://asu.zoom.us/j/5170722077
Abstract
Neuromodulation of the vagus nerve has proven to increase plasticity in the brain, however, it can be difficult to stimulate this nerve through the skin. Neuromodulation targeting the trigeminal nerve, which is more accessible, may offer an alternative in this regard. In a previous experiment, the effect of trigeminal nerve stimulation on motor learning were quantified. However, previous work has shown some evidence that learning rates can vary with peak movement velocity. Here we examined the effects of velocity on movement errors in our own data. In the experiment subjects were split into three main groups: sham, 60 Hz stimulation, and 120 Hz stimulation. Subjects were instructed to move their hands from an initial point to a final target, located 10 cm and at 45° from the initial, as fast as possible. For the first two blocks, subjects received veridical visual feedback. In the next block, a 30° counterclockwise rotation was added to the visual feedback. In the last block the rotation was removed. Stimulation was applied after the first block for 20 minutes. The collected data was used to calculate directional error and assess learning. The stimulation groups were then split into fast and slow movers based on the median of the total mean of the peak velocity of each subject. The results showed that the faster movers tended to exhibit slower rates of learning. The results suggest that differences in peak velocity should be considered and/or controlled for in future studies of motor learning.