Null effects of musical groove on cortico-muscular coherence during isometric contraction

Patti Nijhuis, Peter E. Keller, Sylvie Nozaradan, Manuel Varlet

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Humans have a natural tendency to move to music, which has been linked to the tight coupling between the auditory and motor system and the active role of the motor system in the perception of musical rhythms. High-groove music is particularly successful at inducing spontaneous movement, due to the engagement of (motor) prediction processes. However, how music listening transfers to the muscles even when no movement is intended is less known. Here we used cortico-muscular coherence (CMC) to investigate changes along the cortico-muscular pathway in response to different levels of groove in music listening without intention to move. Electroencephalography (EEG), Electromyography (EMG) from the finger and foot flexors, and continuous force signals were recorded in 18 participants while listening to either high-groove music, low-groove music or silence. Participants were required to hold a steady isometric contraction during all listening conditions. Subjective ratings confirmed that different levels of groove were successfully induced. However, no evidence was found for an effect of music, even high-groove music, on participants' CMC and ability to maintain a steady force for both upper and lower limbs irrespective of musical expertise. These results thus do not support a top-down influence of groove on cortico-muscular coupling. Nevertheless, it remains possible that such influence might occur in the form of dynamic modulations and/or with more active listening. Therefore, these results encourage further research to better understand the effects of groove on the motor system.
Original languageEnglish
Article number100075
Number of pages15
JournalNeuroimage: Reports
Volume2
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Open Access - Access Right Statement

©2021 Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)).

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Null effects of musical groove on cortico-muscular coherence during isometric contraction'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this