Auditory Stimuli to Study the Effects of Stimulation on Neural Oscillations

Although neural oscillations in the motor cortex in the beta $(13-30 \mathrm{~Hz})$ are prominent, their link to motor function is still largely unknown. To advance in the study of the role of these rhythms, it is relevant to find paradigms that can modulate them in a controlled way. Here we studied if transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) can entrain and drive cortical beta rhythms. To assess this, we used a paradigm based on auditory stimuli and tonic contractions to elicit beta oscillations recorded in the contracted muscles. Results show that auditory stimuli can reliably induce beta activity in muscles. These responses were then attenuated during periods of tSCS, which suggests that tSCS can interfere with beta activity in the motor nervous system. Index Terms-tSCS, HDsEMG, force, entrainment.