Cortical Activation Patterns in Art Making vs. Fine Motor Movement as Measured by EEG

Abstract

This quantitative study explores the differences in cortical activation patterns when subjects create art versus when they engage in a rote motor task. It is hypothesized that a statistically significant difference occurs in cortical activity patterns during art making compared with non- creative rote motor behavior and that such differences can be detected and quantified with the electroencephalogram (EEG.) Ten consenting study subjects (one with formal art training, three with some art experience, and six with no art experience) underwent EEG recording at baseline (multiple measures) and with art making, and also with rote motor tasking. Baseline control recordings showed minimal changes in EEG while art making was associated with a persistent change from baseline of significant direction and amplitude involving both hemispheres, a change that was similar to the persistent change in EEG following rote motor tasks. These preliminary findings suggest that EEG may be a meaningful biomarker for cortical activation in the study of creative arts and points to further exploration using Mobile Brain Body Imaging (MoBI) in experimental designs. This system provides a reproducible, measurable, and quantitative methodology for evaluating brain activity and function in the study of the neuroscientific basis of creative arts, neuroaesthetics, and art therapy.