Effects of Noise Electrical Stimulation on Proprioception, Force Control, and Corticomuscular Functional Connectivity

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Sensory afferent inputs are crucial for neuromuscular functions.
• Subsensory electrical stimulation can enhance sensory system sensitivity and motor function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the immediate effects of noise electrical stimulation on proprioception and grip force control.
• To explore associated neural activities in the central nervous system.

Main Methods:

• Healthy adults performed proprioceptive and grip force tasks with and without noise electrical stimulation.
• Electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) measured neural activity and coherence.

Main Results:

• Noise stimulation improved both force and joint proprioceptive senses.
• Higher gamma coherence correlated with better force proprioception improvement.

Conclusions:

• Noise electrical stimulation shows potential for improving proprioception and grip force control.
• Individuals with impaired proprioception may benefit, particularly those with higher gamma coherence.