Tactile acuity in experienced Tai Chi practitioners: evidence for use dependent plasticity as an effect of sensory-attentional training
Tactile acuity in experienced Tai Chi practitioners: evidence for use dependent plasticity as an effect of sensory-attentional training
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DOI：
10.1007/s00221-008-1409-6
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发表时间：
2008-06-01
影响因子：
2
通讯作者：
Kelley, John M.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Kerr, Catherine E.;Shaw, Jessica R.;Kelley, John M.
新的训练模式的科学发现使人们更好地理解了皮层可塑性、学习和发展的基本机制。这项研究是评估太极拳（TC）的第一步，中国慢动作冥想练习，作为一种训练范式，虽然不参与直接的触觉刺激训练，但在长期从业者中增强了触觉敏锐度。这项研究的基本原理来自于这样一个事实，即与以前研究的直接触摸触觉训练范例不同，TC从业者在执行缓慢的日常工作时将特定的精神注意力集中在身体的四肢上，包括指尖和手。为了确定TC是否与增强的触觉敏锐度相关，招募了有经验的成年TC从业者，并与年龄性别匹配的对照组进行比较。盲法评估者使用经验证的方法（货车Boven等人，Neurology 54（12）：2230-2236，2000）来比较TC从业者和对照者在指尖处的不同光栅宽度上区分两个不同方向（平行和水平）的能力。研究结果表明，训练者的触觉空间敏锐度上级对照组（P < 0.04）。有趋势显示TC可能对老年从业者有增强的影响（P < 0.066），表明TC可能减缓这项措施的年龄相关性下降。据我们所知，这是第一个研究，以评估一个长期的注意力练习的影响，知觉措施。纵向研究需要检查TC是否启动或仅仅与感知变化相关，以及它是否在初级感觉皮层地图中具有长期可塑性。进一步的研究还应该评估相关的体感注意力练习（如瑜伽，正念冥想和气功）是否达到类似的效果。
The scientific discovery of novel training paradigms has yielded better understanding of basic mechanisms underlying cortical plasticity, learning and development. This study is a first step in evaluating Tai Chi (TC), the Chinese slow-motion meditative exercise, as a training paradigm that, while not engaging in direct tactile stimulus training, elicits enhanced tactile acuity in long-term practitioners. The rationale for this study comes from the fact that, unlike previously studied direct-touch tactile training paradigms, TC practitioners focus specific mental attention on the body's extremities including the fingertips and hands as they perform their slow routine. To determine whether TC is associated with enhanced tactile acuity, experienced adult TC practitioners were recruited and compared to age-gender matched controls. A blinded assessor used a validated method (Van Boven et al. in Neurology 54(12): 2230-2236, 2000) to compare TC practitioners' and controls' ability to discriminate between two different orientations (parallel and horizontal) across different grating widths at the fingertip. Study results showed that TC practitioners' tactile spatial acuity was superior to that of the matched controls (P < 0.04). There was a trend showing TC may have an enhanced effect on older practitioners (P < 0.066), suggesting that TC may slow age related decline in this measure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate a long-term attentional practice's effects on a perceptual measure. Longitudinal studies are needed to examine whether TC initiates or is merely correlated with perceptual changes and whether it elicits long-term plasticity in primary sensory cortical maps. Further studies should also assess whether related somatosensory attentional practices (such as Yoga, mindfulness meditation and Qigong) achieve similar effects.