Brain stimulation improves surgeon dexterity with robotic tools

Editor's Note

Mild electric stimulation to the back of surgeons’ heads could enhance robotic surgery accuracy and precision, according to findings published in the journal Scientific Reports on December 20.

The study tasked 36 participants – approximately half male, half female, none of whom had experience with robotic surgery – with using a robotic surgery tool to drive a needle through three small holes. Half of participants received continuous electric stimulation to the cerebellum throughout the test, while the other half received only brief stimulation at the beginning. The group receiving continuous current performed the task with significantly more dexterity, both in a virtual setting and in a real scenario with a research robot.

In addition to aiding surgeons in acquiring essential skills, researchers say the technique could be used to enhance motor learning during rehabilitation.