Focal mechanical vibration motor effects on the finger tapping in healthy volunteers

Focal mechanical vibration is a therapeutic intervention based on oscillatory mechanical vibrations applied to specific anatomical structures. These vibrations can be generated by portable devices and transmitted to targeted muscles, joints, or tissues. Focal vibration stimulates local receptors, producing a sensory input flow that induces neural reorganization with functional effects such as improved motor performance, enhanced sensory perception, and reduced pain or discomfort. Several studies have investigated the effects of proprioceptive training (PT), particularly in improving strength and muscular endurance. Other research has reported changes in the rate of strength development. While these aspects have been well explored, neuromotor coordination abilities, which refer to the ability to organize and perform complex motor tasks effectively and efficiently, remain less well examined. In fact, this study aimed to fill this gap by examining the effects of PT on coordinative abilities, specifically through the finger tapping task.

The study involved college students who were divided into a control group and an experimental group. The assessed parameters included tapping number, movement displacement, and intertapping interval (i.e., tapping frequency).

The results showed increases in endurance time and the number of taps only in the treated group, although a slight increase was also observed in the control group. These effects were recognized both acutely, lasting up to 24 h, and chronically, persisting for up to 4 weeks.

The study contributes to the existing literature on vibration interventions and enhances our understanding of the role of focal vibration in improving motor performance.