Data Sheet 5_Cognitive and motor abilities predict auditory-cued finger tapping in a dual task.pdf

Rhythmic auditory stimulation, a therapeutic method involving repetitive movements cued by rhythmic sounds, can support movement (re-)learning and attentional orienting, but effects vary. While properties of cues have been extensively studied, not much is known about the impact of individual differences in cognitive and motor abilities that enable sensorimotor synchronization. This study examined how stimulus complexity (metronome/music) and cognitive and motor functions affect tapping timing consistency and force. Fifty healthy young adults (ages 18–39) performed several finger tapping tasks, specifically, as a stand-alone task (single task), and simultaneously with 2-Back working memory task (dual task), each to sounds with a clear, steady beat and differing levels of rhythmic complexity (metronome vs. music). Standardized neuropsychological tests were related to consistency and force in the single task and to their dual task cost (interference). The dual task led to lower tapping consistency for both auditory cues. Poorer cognitive inhibition and better gross motor ability each predicted greater applied force. In contrast, participants with poorer fine motor ability tapped with lower force. Accounting for musical training and reward from music revealed that sustained attention, verbal memory, musical training and reward additionally predicted tapping force, whereas only musical training predicted better tapping consistency. These non-linear relationships were shown for both single and dual tasks, but not for the dual task cost. Overall, this study highlights the complex interactions of movement functions and cognitive abilities with sensorimotor synchronization, essential to many music-based interventions, and underlines the importance of the consideration of individual baseline abilities.

节奏听觉刺激（Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation）是一种以节律声音为提示触发重复动作的治疗手段，可辅助动作（再）学习与注意定向，但其干预效果存在个体差异。尽管学界已对提示音的属性展开了广泛研究，但对于能驱动感觉运动同步（Sensorimotor Synchronization）的个体认知与运动能力差异所产生的影响，目前仍知之甚少。本研究探讨了刺激复杂度（节拍器/音乐）以及认知与运动功能如何影响敲击的时序一致性与力度表现。本研究招募50名健康青年受试者（年龄18~39岁），让其完成多项手指敲击任务：包括单独敲击任务（单任务），以及同时执行2回溯（2-Back）工作记忆任务的双任务模式；两类任务均采用清晰稳定的节拍提示，且节奏复杂度存在差异（节拍器（Metronome）vs音乐（Music））。研究者将标准化神经心理测试结果与单任务下的敲击时序一致性、敲击力度，以及二者的双任务代价（任务干扰效应）进行了关联分析。结果显示，双任务模式下两类听觉提示对应的敲击时序一致性均出现下降。认知抑制能力越差、粗大运动能力越强的受试者，其敲击施加的力度越大；反之，精细运动能力较差的受试者敲击力度则更低。在纳入音乐训练与音乐奖赏因素后进一步分析发现：持续性注意、言语记忆、音乐训练及音乐奖赏均可额外预测敲击力度，而仅音乐训练能预测更优的敲击时序一致性。上述非线性关联在单任务与双任务模式中均存在，但在双任务代价维度中未观测到此类关联。总体而言，本研究揭示了运动功能、认知能力与感觉运动同步之间的复杂交互作用——这一作用对诸多基于音乐的干预手段至关重要，同时强调了考量个体基线能力的重要性。