Effect of alpha-frequency optical stimulation on sensorimotor parameters in humans
- Authors: Karatygin N.A.1, Korobeinikova I.I.1, Tsyganova M.A.2, Venerina Y.A.3, Dzhebrailova T.D.2
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Affiliations:
- Federal Research Center for Innovator and Emerging Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenovskiy University)
- Institute of Psychology of the Russian Academy of Sciences
- Issue: Vol 32, No 10 (2025)
- Pages: 735-744
- Section: ORIGINAL STUDY ARTICLES
- URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/1728-0869/article/view/356885
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.17816/humeco690411
- EDN: https://elibrary.ru/tmzrjs
- ID: 356885
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Temporal sensorimotor parameters are determined by individual characteristics and may be influenced by various types of exogenous stimulation, including optical stimulation. The multidirectional effects of optical stimulation on performance are associated with baseline electroencephalogram (EEG) parameters. Optical stimulation with individual alpha peak frequency has the most significant effect on endogenous rhythmicity. Frequencies that are several hertz higher or lower can result in flicker response and affect performance by altering neural oscillation frequencies.
AIM: The work aimed to assess individual differences in the effect of optical stimulation with individual alpha peak frequency and a 2 Hz higher frequency on complex sensorimotor response parameters in humans.
METHODS: In this study, 65 participants (males aged 18–23 years, right-handed) performed tests for simple motor reaction (under normal conditions) and complex motor reaction (under three experimental scenarios). The latter included normal conditions, optical stimulation with individual alpha peak frequency, and optical stimulation with a frequency 2 Hz higher than individual alpha peak frequency. The mean reaction time and its variability were assessed. Under normal conditions, the decision-making time was assessed by the difference between the simple and complex reaction times. Two groups of participants, with short (group 1, n = 16) and long (group 2, n = 16) decision-making times, were identified. The frequency and amplitude of an individual alpha peak were calculated using baseline occipitoparietal EEGs recorded with eyes closed.
RESULTS: Optical stimulation with individual alpha peak frequency +2 Hz reduced the complex motor reaction time in all participants. In participants with short decision-making time and high alpha peak amplitude, optical stimulation with individual alpha peak frequency increased the complex motor reaction time, whereas optical stimulation with individual alpha peak frequency +2 Hz had no significant impact on the reaction time. In participants with long decision-making time and low alpha peak amplitude, optical stimulation with individual alpha peak frequency had no significant impact on the complex reaction time, whereas optical stimulation with individual alpha peak frequency +2 Hz decreased complex reaction time and variability.
CONCLUSION: Optical stimulation with individual alpha peak frequency +2 Hz reduced the complex motor reaction time in individuals with specific electrophysiological EEG characteristics. Therefore, it is essential to consider baseline EEG parameters during alpha-frequency optical stimulation, particularly the individual alpha peak amplitude, which is associated with the strength and direction of the stimulation effect. The findings indicate that the two examined modes of alpha-frequency optical stimulation have distinct effects on temporal sensorimotor parameters.
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##article.viewOnOriginalSite##About the authors
Nikolay A. Karatygin
Federal Research Center for Innovator and Emerging Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies
Email: karatygin_na@academpharm.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5523-4048
SPIN-code: 7360-2272
Cand. Sci. (Biology)
Russian Federation, MoscowIrina I. Korobeinikova
Federal Research Center for Innovator and Emerging Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies
Author for correspondence.
Email: korobejnikova_ii@academpharm.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7570-6321
SPIN-code: 2829-9765
Cand. Sci. (Biology)
Russian Federation, MoscowMargarita A. Tsyganova
I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenovskiy University)
Email: oplatchikova_m_a@staff.sechenov.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7641-2330
SPIN-code: 7968-0651
Russian Federation, Moscow
Yana A. Venerina
Institute of Psychology of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Email: y.a.venerina@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3460-078X
SPIN-code: 6689-8898
MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine)
Russian Federation, MoscowTamara D. Dzhebrailova
I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenovskiy University)
Email: dzhebrailova@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1454-9224
SPIN-code: 6942-3352
Dr. Sci. (Biology), Professor
Russian Federation, MoscowReferences
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