Brain response to focal vibro-tactile stimulation prior to muscle contraction

This paper presents a single case study of an ongoing study evaluating cortical association with facilitation and management of vibro-tactile stimulation applied prior to voluntary muscle contraction. The study consisted of three repetitions of relaxation phase during which vibrations are applied; and a contraction phase. EEG and EMG data was collected to determine muscle and brain activation patterns. The EEG analysis of the mu waves during relaxation + vibration phase seem to indicate sensory cortex activation during focal muscle vibrations. With repetitiveness of vibrations, an increase in maximal calculated mu power was observed that could suggest optimization of the muscle fibers prior to the contraction. When contraction is performed, mu waves are desynchronizing with the movement execution. The analysis of the last relaxation period indicate that the muscle itself facilitates the last contraction locally possibly due to cortical learning