Somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold changes during motor learning

Abstract

Purpose

Mechanisms underlying the somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold and its relationship with motor control have been reported; however, little is known regarding the change in temporal processing of tactile information during motor learning. We investigated the somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold changes during motor learning in a feedback-control task.

Materials and methods

We included 15 healthy individuals. The somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold was measured on the index finger. A 10-session coin rotation task was performed, with 2 min’ training per session. The coin rotation scores were determined through tests (continuous coin rotation at 180° at maximum speed for 10 s). The coin rotation test score and the somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold were determined at baseline and after 5 and 10 sets of training, as follows: pre-test; training_5set (1 set × 5); post-test_5block; training_5set (1 set × 5); and post-test_10block. The coin rotation score and the somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold were compared between the tests. The latter was also compared between the right (the within-subject control) and left fingers.

Results

The coin rotation score showed significant differences among all tests. In the somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold, there was a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test_5block values, pre-test and post-test_10block values of the left side and between the right and left sides in the post-test_5block and the post-test_10block values.

Conclusions

The somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold decreased along with task-performance progress following motor learning during a feedback-control task.

Keywords:

• Coin rotation task
• motor learning
• sensorimotor integration
• sensory information
• somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Editage (www.editage.com) for English language editing.

Disclosure statement

No potential competing interest was reported by the author(s).