Every new tool carries a set of usage patterns that we eventually internalize, to the point that the tool becomes an extension of ourselves. There’s probably nothing that fits that description better than today’s smartphones. A group of scientists at the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich has discovered that prolonged use of touchscreens alters the sensory relationship between the human brain and the fingers.
Practice Makes Perfect
“Practice makes perfect” – we all know that phrase, and I think we all agree with it. Talent is a very important factor, but the repetition of a task or exercise contributes decisively to optimizing speed, precision, and naturalness. In the world of computing, one of the most important changes of recent years came through the smartphone. Although the touchscreen was not something strange to us, the “iPhone effect” revolutionized its adoption, and today we can say that a generation already exists that knows only the touchscreen as its primary method of interaction. So, what changes does something like this cause in our minds? How do hands and fingers respond to the new demand, and what is our brain activity?
What the Study Found
A group of scientists from the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich found this out by linking the “digital history” generated by smartphone and conventional mobile phone users with data from electroencephalograms. The study focused on the use of three fingers: thumb, index, and middle finger. The results showed an optimization in the brain’s electrical activity each time one of these three fingers touched the screen, while activity levels in the cerebral cortex were directly proportional to the intensity of use, a detail supported by additional data from battery consumption. In other words, the repetitive and prolonged movement of our fingers over touchscreens, including thumbs, modifies the sensory processing of those fingers.
The Brain’s Adaptability
Perhaps what stands out here is that the effect appears with the use of smartphones. My intention is not to minimize the study, but we cannot deny that there are already other compelling examples of the adaptability and learning capacity of our brains. One that qualifies as “classic” in neuroscience is Braille reading. The loss of vision makes the rest of the senses more sensitive, but with enough practice, every blind person manages to read faster and more accurately, developing a finger sensitivity that seems impossible for other people.
