Cue-induced beta rebound during withholding of overt and covert foot movement

Beta rebound is the term for bursts of EEG activity in the beta band observable after movement or somatosensory stimulation. It is assumed to reflect an active inhibition process. Our aim was to investigate the differences in the beta rebound between movement termination and withholding of movement, and the withholding of overt and covert movement.

Twenty healthy persons completed Go/NoGo experiments with real and imaginary foot movements (dorsiflexion of both feet). Only participants that presented a beta rebound were considered. Event-related (de)synchronization provided the time course of the beta rebound from a participant specific frequency band. Statistical analyses revealed the significant differences between pairs of conditions: motor execution Go vs. motor execution NoGo, and motor execution NoGo vs. motor imagery NoGo.

The beta rebound is stronger and lasts longer after termination of movement than during withholding of a motor response (9 participants). Withholding of overt movement generates a stronger, longer, and more widespread beta rebound than the withholding of imaginary movement (7 participants). The beta rebound is more common after termination (16/16) and withholding of real movement (12/16) than during withholding of imaginary movements (7/16).

These phenomena share a common origin and a common frequency band. Their functional meaning is assumed to be the same, although there are differences in time span and intensity of the beta ERS.

First direct comparison of the beta rebound between motor execution and motor withholding, as well as withholding of overt and covert foot movement. A beta rebound also occurs during withholding of a motor task, and it is more common and strong for overt movement than for covert movement.