Compared motor learning effects of motor cortical and cerebellar repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation during a serial reaction time task in older adults

Repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a technique used to enhance motor learning in older adults. Some studies have shown that applying rTMS to the primary motor cortex (M1) and the cerebellum enhances motor learning. This study investigates the effects of M1 rTMS and cerebellar rTMS on motor learning in older adults. Seventy healthy older participants were randomly divided into M1, cerebellar rTMS, and sham rTMS groups. Participants completed the Serial Reaction Time Task (SRTT), while receiving 10 min of 10 Hz rTMS, with the sham group receiving inactive stimulation. Reaction time (RT) and error rate (ER) were recorded before, immediately, and 48 h post-task. RT and ER decreased immediately after the SRTT in all groups (P < 0.001). Both intervention groups showed greater online motor learning than the sham group (P < 0.05). Additionally, both intervention groups exhibited offline motor learning and learning consolidation with more significant changes in the cerebellar-rTMS group during lasting time (P < 0.03), whereas the sham rTMS group could not maintain motor learning (P > 0.05). The findings suggest that both M1 and cerebellar rTMS enhance motor learning in healthy older adults, with cerebellar rTMS being more effective in consolidating motor learning.