Prefrontal and Interhemispheric Functional EEG Connectivity Associated with Tactile Stimulation
Abstract
Developing quantitative means to measure the effects of tactile stimulation on user experience is gaining increasing attention over the past decade. This paper strives to find quantitative evidence, based on brain wave analysis, of the relationship between tactile stimulation and cognitive processes. In this study, participants per- formed an active touch task comprising of stroking the strings of a virtual guitar displayed on a touch-screen device while measuring the 64-channel EEG signal. For the analysis, phase locking values from alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands are extracted and compared during the absence and presence of tactile stimulation. Results demonstrated an increase in the connectivity of beta and gamma bands in the prefrontal cortex in the presence of tactile stimulation. Such increase is potentially associated with the development of Bereitschaftspotential, which reflects the intention, planning, and execution of precise voluntary movements. Another interesting finding was an increased interhemispheric connectivity in the absence of tactile stimulation, which is associated with motor impairments. These findings suggest that tactile stimulation not only trigger sensation, but further activate cognitive processing associated with motor skills.
Origin | Files produced by the author(s) |
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