HACKING THE NERVOUS SYSTEM: PROMOTION OF PSYCHOMOTOR EFFICIENCY THROUGH VAGUS NEUROMODULATION

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dc.contributor.advisorHatfield, Bradley Den_US
dc.contributor.authorLu, Calvinen_US
dc.contributor.departmentKinesiologyen_US
dc.contributor.publisherDigital Repository at the University of Marylanden_US
dc.contributor.publisherUniversity of Maryland (College Park, Md.)en_US
dc.date.accessioned2022-02-04T06:35:26Z
dc.date.available2022-02-04T06:35:26Z
dc.date.issued2021en_US
dc.description.abstractResearch in performance optimization aims to improve cognitive-motor performance under arduous conditions. From a kinesiology perspective, effectiveness in performance optimization can be quantified through the neurophysiological economy of goal-directed motor behavior. Derived from the psychomotor efficiency hypothesis, the cognitive-affective-motor (CAM) model discusses the brain's complex intersections of cognitive-motor and cognitive-affective processes. The CAM model subscribes to the principle that superior performance is achieved by minimizing nonessential motoric processes, such as mental stress management. When stress response becomes unmanageable, there will be an elevation in nonessential motoric processes and negatively impact motor preparation. The resulting disfluency within the central nervous system will ultimately manifest in the motor and autonomic sections of the peripheral nervous system. To combat the disruptive effects of mental stress, employing autonomic regulation techniques such as Vagus nerve neuromodulation can remedy the inefficiencies of the nervous systems and promote an adaptive state for performance. This dissertation aimed to assess the CAM model empirically by investigating the integrative model of the cortical, autonomic, and motor nervous systems during a precision motor task (i.e., dart-throwing). A thorough examination was conducted on preserving the nervous system’s efficiency and positive impacts on the quality of motor performance through Vagus nerve neuromodulations. Specifically, the study focused on varying levels of mental stress to determine inoculation capabilities. Twenty-three participants were enrolled in a repeated-measures within-subjects design. Neurophysiological measures of nervous system activity were captured before motor execution to determine the amalgamated influence of Vagus nerve neuromodulation and mental stress. The observed results revealed an elevation in psychomotor efficiency through the Vagus nerve neuromodulations. Participants exhibited improved performance, as seen through a reduction of accuracy variability. This was accompanied by nervous system alterations of increased left temporal alpha power, reduced motor unit engagements, and reduced mental workload during the preparation of motor execution. In summary, the observed effects of Vagus nerve neuromodulation techniques successfully promoted nervous system efficiency and an adaptive state for goal-directed motor behavior. The dissertation outcomes provide evidence on the benefits of ergonomic aids such as Vagus nerve neuromodulation on facilitating an adaptive nervous system to enhance cognitive-motor performance.en_US
dc.identifierhttps://doi.org/10.13016/iyht-dn9k
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/28433
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.subject.pqcontrolledNeurosciencesen_US
dc.subject.pqcontrolledPsychobiologyen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledAutonomic Nervous systemen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledCognitive-motoren_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledEEGen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledHuman Performanceen_US
dc.titleHACKING THE NERVOUS SYSTEM: PROMOTION OF PSYCHOMOTOR EFFICIENCY THROUGH VAGUS NEUROMODULATIONen_US
dc.typeDissertationen_US

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