Effects of motor style on timing control and EEG waveforms in self-paced and synchronization tapping tasks

Abstract

We investigated the effects of tapping style on motor performance and neural activity in self-paced and synchronization tapping tasks in three conditions (drum sticking [DS], one-finger tapping [1FT], and four-finger tapping [4FT]). In the synchronization task, participants tapped in synchrony with a metronomic sound. No significant differences were detected in the accuracy of timing control among the tapping styles, whereas larger potentials on EEG waveforms before tap onset were found in 4FT than in DS or 1FT; these may be readiness potentials for the motor commands required to control multiple fingers. As expected, tap intervals were more stable under the synchronization condition than under the selfpaced condition, but no difference was detected in the neural activity evoked before tap onset. Larger neural potentials observed in the early stage after tap onset in DS might be involved in the sensory feedback associated with tool use.