Abstract
Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of combining tRNS with exercise on brain waves and the enhancement of temporal and spatial components in perceptual-motor task learning.
Methods: This semi-experimental research utilized a pretest-acquisition-posttest design. Based on the literature review, 30 male students (mean age 22.62 ± 62) were randomly divided into three experimental groups (1- tRNS combined with motor training, 2- sham tRNS combined with motor training, 3- motor training). Participants completed a movement task of drawing a circle in three phases: pretest (10 trials), intervention (one day after pretest; 6 sessions with 5 blocks of 10 attempts each), post-test (one day after intervention, 10 trials). Each trial ended after drawing 20 laps of the circle. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Shapiro-Wilk test for data distribution normality, one-way analysis of variance with repeated measurements, Bonferroni follow-up test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Friedman tests.
Results: Statistical analysis using SPSS software revealed that tRNS improved beta rhythm and sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) power (P=0.001). Additionally, tRNS significantly reduced spatial error and movement execution time (P=0.001). The effect of tRNS on movement time was observed after six sessions, while the effect on spatial error was evident after three sessions.
Conclusion: The results suggest that tRNS is an effective approach to decrease movement errors, enhance movement timing, and improve fine motor performance. Three training sessions with tRNS were adequate to reduce spatial error, but more sessions were required to reduce temporal error.
Main Subjects