The study aims to explore how the brain builds timing representation and how long movement synchronization can continue without rhythmic presentation.
Twenty-five right-handed participants (24 females, 1 male; aged 19–48; 17 with no musical experience and 7 with more than 5 years of musical training) completed the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory and provided informed consent.
The custom MatTAP software was used to capture auditory stimulus (metronome) event and force data produced by the right index finger. Participants were seated comfortably in a chair facing a computer screen, wearing headphones. They completed a task using their right index finger to synchronize with a metronome (frequency 700 Hz) at 1000 ms and 2000 ms intervals by tapping on a sensor button connected to the toolbox, mounted on a desk. After the metronome was turned off, participants continued tapping at the same pace.
The task included 40 trials, each with two phases: Fast tempo (1000 ms): 60 taps (30 with metronome on, 30 with metronome off) and slow tempo (2000 ms): 30 taps (15 with metronome on, 15 with metronome off). Data were analyzed using 2x2 repeated measures ANOVA both within-subject and between-subjects.
We found significant effects of within-subject tapping while the metronome’s presence with mean IRI (F (1,22) = 42.1, p .001) and its variability (F (1,22) = 42.102, p .001) with less variability between musician and non-musician.
Our analyses revealed significant effects of metronome interval IRI (F (1,22) = 42.1, p .001) and its variability (F (1,22) = 42.102, p .001) between-subjects, when the metronome was slow (2000 ms).
We found that in the continuation tapping task, musicians had higher mean asynchrony (F (1,22) = 26.38, p .001) and variability (F (1,22) = 428.98, p .001) compared to non-musicians.
Musicians demonstrated better rhythmic tapping performance at slower tempos and while the metronome beat is off, which suggest that rhythm-based training enhances the brain’s ability to maintain rhythmic synchronization and build a motor behavioral sense to improve performance.
Rhythmic synchronization is a promising tool in rehabilitation programs. It is beneficial for patients with Parkinson’s disease who face motor control deficit affecting gait, balance, and over all mobility. Synchronizing movements to rhythm can promote neuroplasticity, enhancing motor learning and recovery.
Rhythm
Timing control
