Using non-invasive brain stimulation to modulate performance in visuomotor rotation adaptation: A scoping review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Motor Control

Background:

• Visuomotor rotation (VMR) adaptation research is expanding into neuropsychology.
• Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) is increasingly used to study VMR adaptation.
• Inconsistent results exist regarding cerebellar and motor cortex stimulation effects on VMR adaptation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and analyze past studies on NIBS and VMR adaptation.
• To identify factors contributing to inconsistencies in VMR adaptation research.
• To provide recommendations for future research in this field.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review methodology.
• Extraction and analysis of details on paradigm designs, context settings, and NIBS protocols.
• Synthesis of findings from existing literature.

Main Results:

• Paradigm designs are crucial for dissociating implicit/explicit adaptation and assessing motor memory retention.
• Context settings (apparatus, movement parameters, subject information) can influence neuropsychological processes.
• Key NIBS parameters (target regions, timing) were identified.

Conclusions:

• Standardization of paradigm designs and context settings is needed for consistent VMR adaptation research.
• Neurophysiological biomarkers and emerging NIBS techniques can enhance future studies.
• Further research is required to clarify the role of specific brain structures in VMR adaptation using NIBS.