Supplementary file- data sheets

Bilateral motor
training is a useful method for modifying corticospinal excitability. The
effects of artificial bilateral movement on corticospinal excitability through
transcranial magnetic stimulation have not been reported. We compared
motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) of primary motor cortex (M1) following
conventional bilateral motor training and artificial bilateral movements
generated through electromyogram activity of the abductor pollicis brevis (APB)
muscle triggered peripheral nerve stimulation and TMS. Three sessions with
different interventions were conducted involving healthy participants:
bilateral finger training , right APB-triggered TMS of the ipsilateral M1 , and
right APB-triggered contralateral median nerve stimulation . Each protocol
consisted of 360 trials for 30 min each. Resting Motor Threshold showed no
significant changes and MEP amplitude significantly increased up to 40 min
post-intervention in all protocols. Short interval intracortical inhibition and intracortical facilitation
changed and there were differences based on the intervention. . Thus, repetitive bilateral movements enhance
corticospinal excitability, both voluntarily and artificially.