Autoregressive moving average modeling for finger tapping with an externalstimulus

We report the Autoregressive Moving Average (ARMA) structures of interrespo nse interval and interstimulus interval in rhythmic finger tapping and how tapping schemes arise from these structures. The interstimulus interval is chosen to be a metronome cue slightly perturbed from its periodic mode by a zero-mean sine-wave modulated sequence. These metronome sequences were cho sen to follow an exact Autoregressive model of the third order and are gene rated using metronome interval durations of 400, 500, and 600 msec. At each frequency, four different perturbation rates were presented to seven subje cts: 1, 2, 5, and 7% of the base interval. Synchronization error, i.e., tap -to-beat phase deviations, induced by these ARMA models are stable and thus were bounded. This framework is useful in characterizing the relationship between motor control variables, interresponse interval, synchronization er ror, and interstimulus interval. Also, several known models can be easily d erived and analyzed in this setting.