The effect of cue frequency, modality, and rhythmicity on finger tapping behaviour and movement-related cortical activity

Sensorimotor synchronization (SMS) involves the coordination of movements with rhythmic sensory cues. While cue characteristics influence SMS behaviour and neural pathways, their impact on cortical activity beyond motor areas is less understood. This EEG study examined how various cue characteristics, including cue frequency, modality, and rhythmicity, influence behaviour and movement-related cortical activity in (non)-motor areas during SMS. Seventeen healthy participants performed finger tapping with cues varying in frequency (slow: 1 Hz, fast: 3.2 Hz), modality (visual, auditory), and rhythmicity (isorhythmic, polyrhythmic). SMS behaviour and movement-related beta power were evaluated. Statistical analyses are performed using Hierarchical Bayesian Models. In this data collection, the measured EEG and acceleration data is stored for each participant in (Data-folder). The .eeg files contain the EEG data (channels Ch1–Ch32) and the acceleration data (channels Ch33–Ch35; labelled as ACC1, ACC2, ACC3). The .vmrk files include the event markers (e.g., the start or stop of specific conditions). Additionally, the collection (Analysis-folder) contains the analysis scripts for: 1) the calculation of movement-related beta oscillations and measures to assess finger tapping performance (e.g., inter-tap interval, phase), and 2) statistical analyses using Hierarchical Bayesian Models. The final processed data structures are available.