Asymmetrical Impacts of Motion Vibrational Stimulations on Resting-State Brain Connectivity
Poster No:
76
Submission Type:
Abstract Submission
Authors:
Yueh-Hsun Lu1, Chih-Hsueh Wang2, Changwei Wu3
Institutions:
1Taipei Medical University - Shuang-Ho Hospital, New Taipei ity, Zhonghe Dist., 2Taipei Medical University - Shuang-Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Jhonghe, 3Taipei Medical University, Zhonghe, New Taipei
First Author:
Co-Author(s):
Introduction:
Previous research has substantiated and elucidated the existence of brain asymmetry between hemispheres1. Functional asymmetry primarily manifests as left-right disparities in brain activation, and from a network perspective, the laterality of functional networks provides avenues for investigating the brain plasticity following intervention2. The asymmetrical brain organization not only influences motor control but extends its impact to high-order cognitive processes, including language, spatial perception, and emotional processing.3 A previous study identified an association between handedness and differences in effective connectivity within the human motor network, emphasizing the significant role of the left supplementary motor area (SMA) in individuals with right-handed dominance 4. Vibration stimulation had been used in improvement of muscle power, decreasing spasticity, and enhancement of exercise effect5,6. The different effect of vibration stimulation from bilateral hands was not tested yet. In this context, we investigate the functional connectivity following vibration stimulations applied to both the left and right hands.
Methods:
In this study, 15 healthy participants (4 females, all exhibiting right-handedness) were subjected to distinct vibrational stimulations applied to their right and left hands. Resting-stat data were acquired during an 8-minute scan under eyes-closed conditions using a 3T MR scanner (GE750). Each participant underwent two MRI sessions, with baseline image acquisition occurring prior to the application of vibrations. Following the initial imaging session, participants dismounted the MRI table for intervention while seated in a chair with a backrest. Subsequently, they underwent a second fMRI resting-state scan.
During vibrational stimulation, participants were seated with their hand's elbow flexed at 90 degrees and a slight separation from the trunk. Participants were instructed not to touch their trunk and to securely grip the device. Vibrational muscle force stimulation was sequentially administered at four frequencies: 15, 30, 45, and 60Hz, each lasting 1 minute, with a 1-minute rest interval between frequency switches.
Data underwent preprocessing and analysis using CONN toolbox version 19.c. Large-scale network analysis encompassed a priori selected regions of interest within the default mode network (DMN), sensorimotor, visual, salience, dorsal attention, fronto-parietal, language, and cerebellar networks. Two-way ANOVA test was used to check the significance. A statistical significance threshold of uncorrected p < 0.001 was applied.
During vibrational stimulation, participants were seated with their hand's elbow flexed at 90 degrees and a slight separation from the trunk. Participants were instructed not to touch their trunk and to securely grip the device. Vibrational muscle force stimulation was sequentially administered at four frequencies: 15, 30, 45, and 60Hz, each lasting 1 minute, with a 1-minute rest interval between frequency switches.
Data underwent preprocessing and analysis using CONN toolbox version 19.c. Large-scale network analysis encompassed a priori selected regions of interest within the default mode network (DMN), sensorimotor, visual, salience, dorsal attention, fronto-parietal, language, and cerebellar networks. Two-way ANOVA test was used to check the significance. A statistical significance threshold of uncorrected p < 0.001 was applied.
Results:
When seeding at the post-central gyrus (post-CGr), we found the connectivity was enhanced in both left and right hand. Increasing connectivity between post-CGr and the same side lateral occipital cortex was observed in both sides (p < 0.001). Decreasing connectivity between post-CGr and supramarginal/angular gyrus was observed (p < 0.001). Weaker connectivity change of right-hand vibrations was noticed as compared to that of left-hand vibrations. Additional negative connectivity was noticed between post-CGr and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC).
· A (pre) & B (post): Stimulation was from left hand. C (pre) & D (post): Stimulation was from right hand. Red circle: Lateral occipital lobe. Blue circle: Supramarginal and angular gyrus.
Conclusions:
After vibration muscle force stimulations, brain connectivity in the posterior brain area surpassed that in the anterior area and left-sided connections to right-sided motor areas increased. The effect of increasing connectivity between bilateral motor areas was more pronounced in left-hand vibrations than right-hand vibrations. Our results underscored the asymmetric effects resulting from stimulations applied to different hands. Further exploration involving left-handed volunteers is warranted.
Brain Stimulation:
Non-Invasive Stimulation Methods Other 1
Motor Behavior:
Motor Behavior Other 2
Keywords:
FUNCTIONAL MRI
Motor
MRI
Peripheral Nerve
Other - vibration stimulation
1|2Indicates the priority used for review
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2. Hoch MM, Doucet GE, Moser DA, et al. Initial Evidence for Brain Plasticity Following a Digital Therapeutic Intervention for Depression. Chronic Stress. 2019;3.
3. turria-Medina Y, Pérez Fernández A, Morris DM, et al. Brain hemispheric structural efficiency and interconnectivity rightward asymmetry in human and nonhuman Primates. Cereb Cortex 2011, 21(1): 56–67.
4. Li ML, Chen H, Wang JP, et al. Handedness- and hemisphere-related differences in small-world brain networks: a diffusion tensor imaging tractography study. Brain Connect 2014, 4(2): 145–156.
5. Desrosiers, J., Hebert, R., Bravo, G., and Dutil, E. (1995). Upper extremity performance test for the elderly (TEMPA): normative data and correlates with sensorimotor parameters. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 76, 1125–1129.
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