Enhanced Connectivity and Reduced Mind Wandering after Tactile Training in Young Adults

Abstract

The intensive practice of specific cognitive activities can lead to improvements of relevant cognitive capability in human beings, which may transfer to gain in untrained activities. Although there are a growing number of studies investigating the behavioral benefits of attention training in mind wandering, few studies have directly examined the neurophysiological basis of the training effects. Here using 128-channel electroencephalography (EEG), we examined whether the tactile training can reduce the mind wandering as measured by the sustained attention to response task (SART), and how the dynamic neurophysiological connectivity changes following training in young adults. The trainees showed significantly less occurrence of mind wandering after the five-day tactile training. Furthermore, the functional connectivity within and between the frontal and parietal regions was enhanced after training. Our findings suggest that the tactile training-induced brain plasticity may provide new therapeutic strategies for attention-related disorders.