Hand immobilization causes changes in cortical areas: qEEG alfa band absolute power study

Hand immobilization has been associated with changes in neural networks of primary somatosensory cortex and primary motor areas. Electrophysiologically, alpha band absolute power may indicate how cerebral cortex processes information. This study aimed to analyze changes in alpha band absolute power on frontal, central, parietal and occipital derivations when hand-movement of subjects was restricted for 48 hours. Fifteen healthy volunteers (20 to 30 years old), were recorded using electroencephalography (qEEG), while exposition to visual stimulus linked to a motor task before and after hand immobilization. Statistical analysis revealed that hand immobilization caused changes in frontal, central and parietal areas of cerebral cortex. In summary, after hand immobilization alpha band absolute power increased in these areas, revealing a lower activation. Contrarily, at C4 there was a decreased alpha band absolute power correlated to more activation. These findings can be due adaptive plasticity to supply less activation at C3, considering the inactivity of right hand due to the immobilization. Further studies are needed to better understand the complex processes involved in this type of task.