Effects of Different Individuals and Verbal Tones on Neural Networks in the Brain of Children with Cerebral Palsy

TL;DR

This study explores how children with cerebral palsy respond differently to verbal encouragement from their mothers and therapists, as seen in brain activity patterns.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel approach to understanding how verbal tone and speaker identity affect brain networks in children with cerebral palsy.

Findings

Brain activity patterns varied in theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands depending on the speaker and tone.

Children showed greater internal focus when addressed by their mothers and better comprehension when addressed by therapists.

ICA frequency analysis revealed distinct neural responses to different verbal interactions.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Motivation is a key factor for improving motor function and cognitive control in patients. Motivation for rehabilitation is influenced by the relationship between the therapist and patient, wherein appropriate voice encouragement is necessary to increase motivation. Therefore, we examined the differences between mothers and other individuals, such as physical therapists (PTs), in their verbal interactions with children with cerebral palsy who have poor communication abilities, as well as the neurological and physiological effects of variations in the tone of their speech. Methods: The three participants were children with cerebral palsy (Participant A: boy, 3 years; Participant B: girl, 7 years; Participant C: girl, 9 years). Participants’ mothers and the assigned PTs were asked to speak under three conditions. During this, the brain activity of the participants was measured using a 19-channel electroencephalogram. The results were further analyzed using Independent Component Analysis frequency analysis with exact Low-Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography, allowing for the identification and visualization of neural activity in three-dimensional brain functional networks. Results: The results of the ICA frequency analysis for each participant revealed distinct patterns of brain activity in response to verbal encouragement from the mother and PT, with differences observed across the theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands. Conclusions: Our study suggests that the children were attentive to their mothers’ inquiries and focused on their internal experiences. Furthermore, it was indicated that when addressed by the PT, the participants found it easier to grasp the meanings and intentions of the words.

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