Does immobilization of dependent hand promote adaptative changes in cerebral cortex? An analysis through qEEG asymmetry

Abstract

This study aimed to elucidate electrophysiological and cortical mechanisms involved when 15 healthy right-handed subjects executed an index finger flexion and extension task before and after hand immobilization, using qEEG beta band (13-30 Hz) asymmetry. This beta band is involved in motor activity and sensorial factors. Our hypothesis is that an increase in beta band asymmetry in pre-frontal, motor and parietal areas will occur in post-hand immobilization, because these areas need to reorganize for new planning, preparation and voluntary motor control. We found increase in beta band asymmetry during post-treatment task. We concluded that beta band asymmetry plays an important role in the analysis of cortical changes in several brain areas when associated to motor task. Furthermore, we assume that 48 h of hand immobilization change cortical functioning.