Braille Reading: Effects of Different Hand and Finger Usage

1980 ◽  
Vol 74 (9) ◽  
pp. 338-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.J.C. Mommers
Keyword(s):  
Index Finger ◽  
Middle Finger ◽  
Left Index Finger ◽  
The Right ◽  
Left Middle ◽  
Blind Students

Reviews the literature on hand and finger usage in reading braille. Describes an experiment using 25 blind students to test whether they read faster and/or more accurately with: the left index finger rather than the right one; the left middle finger rather than the right one; the index finger rather than the middle finger; and, with spontaneous hand usage (usually both hands), whether the student read faster and/or more accurately than with the index finger of one hand.

scholarly journals Response preparation involves a release of intracortical inhibition in task-irrelevant muscles

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac N. Gomez ◽  
Kara Ormiston ◽  
Ian Greenhouse
Keyword(s):  
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Index Finger ◽  
Intracortical Inhibition ◽  
Left Index Finger ◽  
Task Condition ◽  
Response Preparation ◽  
Action Preparation ◽  
The Right ◽  
Task Irrelevant

AbstractAction preparation involves widespread modulation of motor system excitability, but the precise mechanisms are unknown. In this study, we investigated whether intracortical inhibition changes in task-irrelevant muscle representations during action preparation. We used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with electromyography in healthy human adults to measure motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and cortical silent periods (CSPs) in task-irrelevant muscles during the preparatory period of simple delayed response tasks. In Experiment 1, participants responded with the left-index finger in one task condition and the right-index finger in another task condition, while MEPs and CSPs were measured from the contralateral non-responding and tonically contracted index finger. During Experiment 2, participants responded with the right pinky finger while MEPs and CSPs were measured from the tonically contracted left-index finger. In both experiments, MEPs and CSPs were compared between the task preparatory period and a resting intertrial baseline. The CSP duration during response preparation decreased from baseline in every case. A laterality difference was also observed in Experiment 1, with a greater CSP reduction during the preparation of left finger responses compared to right finger responses. MEP amplitudes showed no modulation during movement preparation in any of the three response conditions. These findings indicate cortical inhibition associated with task-irrelevant muscles is transiently released during action preparation and implicate a novel mechanism for the controlled and coordinated release of motor cortex inhibition.New & NoteworthyIn this study we observed the first evidence of a release of intracortical inhibition in task-irrelevant muscle representations during response preparation. We applied transcranial magnetic stimulation to elicit cortical silent periods in task-irrelevant muscles during response preparation and observed a consistent decrease in the silent period duration relative to a resting baseline. These findings address the question of whether cortical mechanisms underlie widespread modulation in motor excitability during response preparation.

Assessment of Radiation Protection in Hand-Shielding Products With Mini C-Arm Fluoroscopy

Hand ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 155894471986593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew B. Cantlon ◽  
Asif M. Ilyas
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Index Finger ◽  
Proximal Phalanx ◽  
Left Index Finger ◽  
Surgical Glove ◽  
Thermoluminescent Dosimeters ◽  
Intraoperative Fluoroscopy ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Right ◽  
Free Metal

Background: Previous studies have highlighted the particular risk of radiation exposure to the surgeon’s hands with intraoperative fluoroscopy. Although evidence exists that shielding equipment for the hands reduces exposure, the extent of protection is not well understood. Therefore, we set out to determine the degree to which radiation exposure to the surgeon’s hands is decreased with hand-shielding products. Methods: An anthropomorphic model was positioned to simulate a surgeon sitting at a hand table. Thermoluminescent dosimeters were placed on the proximal phalanx of each index finger. The right index finger dosimeter was covered with a standard polyisoprene surgical glove (control arm), whereas the left index finger dosimeter was covered with commercially available hand-shielding products (study arm): lead-free metal-oxide gloves, leaded gloves, and radiation-attenuating cream. Mini fluoroscope position, configuration, and settings were standardized. The model was scanned for 15 continuous minutes in each test run, and each comparative arm was run 3 times. Results: The mean radiation dose absorbed by the control and variable dosimeters across all tests was 44.8 mrem (range, 30-54) and 18.6 mrem (range, 14-26), respectively. Each hand-shielding product resulted in statistically lower radiation exposure than a single polyisoprene surgical glove. Conclusions: The mean radiation exposure to the hands was significantly decreased when protected by radiation-attenuating options. Each product individually resulted in a statistically significant decrease in hand exposure compared with the control. We recommend that in addition to efforts to decrease radiation exposure, surgeons consider routine use of hand-shielding products when using mini c-arm fluoroscopy.

Music Affects Learning of a Braille-Like Task by Sighted Subjects

1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (3-1) ◽  
pp. 923-929
Author(s):  
Robert F. Kennison ◽  
Richard A. Mcfarland
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Sensory Input ◽  
Index Finger ◽  
Practical Importance ◽  
Left Index Finger ◽  
Interhemispheric Competition ◽  
Male College ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Male College Students

24 consistently right-handed male college students felt sets of four Braille symbols with either the right or the left index finger and identified by touch alone which two of the four symbols in each set were identical. During the task music was played to either the right ear, the left ear, both ears, or neither ear. Significantly fewer errors were made when the music was in the ear contralateral to whichever hand performed the task. The ipsilateral, binaural, and no-music groups did not differ significantly from each other. It is suggested that monaural music to the ear contralateral to the engaged hand led to reduced interhemispheric competition acting on the hemisphere controlling the hand. Such a facilitating effect may be of practical importance in tasks during which one hemisphere receives the bulk of the task-related sensory input and/or processes the final order from the brain to the task-related muscles.

Cortical Representation of Swallowing: A Modified Dual Task Paradigm

2002 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 1029-1040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie K. Daniels ◽  
David M. Corey ◽  
Cristen L. Barnes ◽  
Nikki M. Faucheaux ◽  
Daniel H. Priestly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dual Task ◽  
Right Hemisphere ◽  
Index Finger ◽  
Finger Tapping ◽  
Left Index Finger ◽  
Cortical Representation ◽  
Word Repetition ◽  
Dual Task Paradigm ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
The Right

It is unclear whether the cortical representation of swallowing is lateralized to the left cerebral hemisphere, right hemisphere, or bilaterally represented. As dysphagia is common in acute stroke, it is important to elucidate swallowing lateralization to facilitate earlier detection of stroke patients who may be at greater risk for dysphagia and aspiration. In this study, a modified dual task paradigm was designed to study laterality of swallowing in a group of 14 healthy, young, right-handed, male adults. The subjects were studied at baseline and with interference. Baseline conditions, performed separately, were continuous swallowing, finger tapping using the right and left index fingers, and word repetition. Interference tasks, including tapping with the right index finger, tapping with the left index finger, and word repetition, were completed with and without swallowing. Finger-tapping rate was measured, and x-ray samples of the swallowing task were taped to measure swallowing rate and volume swallowed. At baseline, the rate of tapping the right index finger was significantly faster than that of the left index finger. There was a significant decline in the tapping rates of both left and right index fingers with swallowing interference. The volume per swallow was significantly reduced during the interfering language task of silent repetition. These results offer partial support for a bilateral representation of swallowing as well as suggest an important left hemispheric contribution to swallowing. However, it cannot be concluded that the left hemisphere is more important than the right, as a comparable right hemisphere task was not studied.

scholarly journals Event-related synchronization/desynchronization in terms of manual motor program switching in men

Biologija ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olha Korzhyk ◽  
Olha Pavlovych ◽  
Lyudmyla Shvarts ◽  
Tetyana Shevchuk ◽  
Olena Dmytrotsa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Index Finger ◽  
Spectral Power ◽  
International System ◽  
Motor Program ◽  
Middle Finger ◽  
Parietal Lobes ◽  
Low Tone ◽  
The Right ◽  
Change Response ◽  
Manual Movement

The scientific community is paying increasing attention to the characteristics of brain processes providing switch of manual motor programs. Thirty-two right-handed men aged 18–23 years participated in the experiment. The EEG registration was performed according to the international system 10/20, with closed eyes during manual reactions in the Go-Stop-Change paradigm. In the case of a low tone (70%), men had to press the left button of the console (go-response) with the right index finger. A high tone (30%) required rapid pressing of the right button (stop-change-response) with the middle finger. Event-related desynchronization and synchronization of the spectral power of the EEG frequency (6 Hz to 23 Hz) were estimated in the Matlab environment. Significant ERS response is established at the frequency of 6 Hz in symmetrical frontal, central and parietal parts, at 9 Hz – in the left parietal area, at 14–15 Hz – in frontal, central, and parietal areas of the right cortex, and at the frequency of 22 Hz – in the right frontal lobe. However, EEG desynchronization is recorded at the frequency of 7–8 Hz in the frontal and central areas of both hemispheres. The most sensitive to the manual movement stop followed by switching to an alternative event is associated with synchronization of electrical cortical activity, which showed higher values of the spectral power at the frequency of 6 Hz and 14–15 Hz in frontal and central allocations, and was lower at the frequency of 16–17 Hz in both parietal lobes than that during the Go-response.

Anterior Interosseous Neuropathy in Instrumental Musicians

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-141
Author(s):  
Richard J Lederman
Keyword(s):  
Index Finger ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Left Index Finger ◽  
Pronator Quadratus ◽  
Motor Branch ◽  
Neuralgic Amyotrophy ◽  
Electrodiagnostic Testing ◽  
The Right ◽  
Flexor Digitorum

The anterior interosseous nerve is a pure motor branch of the median nerve supplying the flexor pollicis longus, flexor digitorum profundus of the index and middle fingers, and pronator quadratus. Anterior interosseous neuropathy is rare and typically causes weakness of flexion of the tips of the thumb and index finger. Four instrumentalists, 3 violinists and 1 pianist (3 males, 1 female), seen from 1986 to 2002 at our clinic, are the subjects of this report. Age at onset ranged from 16 to 76 yrs. A possible precipitating factor was identified in each. One violinist could not hold the bow; two others noted inability to stabilize the distal left first (index) finger. The pianist noted impaired dexterity of the right hand. Examination showed weakness of flexion of the distal phalanx of the index finger and thumb and variable weakness of forearm pronation. Electrodiagnostic testing confirmed the diagnosis in all four patients. All improved over time. One symphony violinist continued to play for over 15 yrs, despite some persisting difficulty with the left index finger. Another violinist recovered function almost completely but suffered a stroke affecting the opposite hand 2.5 years later. The third violinist retired from the symphony on disability because his recovery was delayed for >1 yr. The young pianist is playing 4 to 5 hrs/day. It is likely that at least three of the four had a localized form of neuralgic amyotrophy.

Generalized and Lateralized Effects of Concurrent Verbalization on a Unimanual Skill

1971 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel Kinsbourne ◽  
Jay Cook
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Cerebral Hemisphere ◽  
Index Finger ◽  
Left Index Finger ◽  
Distraction Effect ◽  
Left Cerebral Hemisphere ◽  
Verbal Activity ◽  
Right Hand ◽  
Concurrent Verbalization ◽  
The Right

After practice, subjects balanced a dowel rod on the right and on the left index finger while speaking and while remaining silent. As compared to control, the verbal condition yielded shorter balancing times for the right hand, but longer ones for the left. A speculative model postulates enhancement of the practised skill by virtue of the distraction effect of the concurrent activity. This is counteracted on the right by interference with right-sided motor control by the left cerebral hemisphere due to verbal activity programmed by the same hemisphere.

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