Effect of middle-temporal tDCS stimulation on dance-game exercise performance

Abstract

Using transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) combined with a complex multisensory-motor dance video game (DVG) task, we investigated a possible role of the middle temporal gyrus (MTG), an integration site of visual and auditory information, on the motor learning efficiency. Eighteen young-adults received any one stimulation type of anodal, cathodal, or sham stimulation and performed DVG for 3 times. The number of timing-accurate steps was evaluated as an index of motor performance over repetitive game play and stimulation conditions. Anodal MTG stimulation increased the post-training performance selectively in participants who had previous experience of musical training or music video game, whereas cathodal MTG stimulation increased the post-training performance in the other novice participants. These results demonstrated differential effect of MTG stimulation on the improvement of timing accuracy in DVG task depending on the previous experience in multisensory-integrative motor task.