Experimental design
illness
The study was designed as a randomized controlled intervention trial. Based on power analysis applying the data of our pilot trial (n = 8) the estimated minimal necessary sample size was a total of 68 subjects. Seventy-nine subjects were recruited. 4 participants were excluded before initial assessment because of illness and 1 subject after the final assessment due to missing data. Subjects were randomized in one of two groups: the experimental group (TV, n = 39) watched a minimum of 8 h (mean = 8.09 h/day, range = 8.00–8.75 h/day) of visual media like television per day. The control group (NOTV, n = 40) did not consume any visual media. Both groups were accommodated in a controlled environment for 5 days and meanwhile completed a course in touch-typing on the PC keyboard. Touch-typing performance served as motor learning surrogate, as this ability was new to all participants. Before and after the experiment we conducted assessments (pre- and post-assessment) on resting-state functional connectivity (fMRI), visual attention (TVA), somatosensory perception (MDT and GOT), see Fig. Study design. Note: Trial design and procedure (TV Studie Jena).