This cutoff value was defined individually for each participant, based on median correct trial RT during the Baseline block.
Distributions of PSE values were calculated as a function of the baseline blocks, each vocalization pool.
Paired t test showed that the baseline block 1 VEP amplitude decreased significantly during the pain condition in healthy subjects (t(1,18) = 3.53, P = 0.002) but not in patients (t(1,18) = 2.02, P = 0.08).
The baseline block comprised approximately 80 trials.
We designed the baseline block as the control condition.
To exclude any interference of painful stimulation and acupuncture on the baseline block, each experiment began with the baseline block.
In order to evaluate whether TMS per se could induce any changes in corticospinal excitability in our experimental procedure, we compared mean raw MEP amplitudes during the two baseline blocks, at the beginning and at the end of the experimental session.
The amplitudes of raw MEPs recorded during baseline blocks were analyzed by means of a mixed-model ANOVA, with Muscle (FDI and ADM), TMS Intensity (120% and 140% of rMT) and Session (PRE and POST) as within-subjects factors, and with Experiment (arm forwards, EXP1, and arm backwards, EXP2) as a between-subjects factor.
The preliminary Muscle × TMS Intensity × Session × Experiment ANOVA on raw MEPs recorded during baseline blocks revealed a significant effect of TMS Intensity only (F2,18 = 45.57, p<0.00001).
Patients were seated 80 cm in front of a computer screen with their arms comfortably supported and performed four blocks of the response time task and four blocks of the grip force task during the baseline period, with an inter-block delay of ∼30 s.
