Cross-limb Interference during motor learning

Benedikt Lauber, Jesper Lundbye Jensen, Martin Keller, Albert Gollhofer, Wolfgang Taube, Christian Leukel

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    14 Citationer (Scopus)
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    Abstract

    It is well known that following skill learning, improvements in motor performance may transfer to the untrained contralateral limb. It is also well known that retention of a newly learned task A can be degraded when learning a competing task B that takes place directly after learning A. Here we investigate if this interference effect can also be observed in the limb contralateral to the trained one. Therefore, five different groups practiced a ballistic finger flexion task followed by an interfering visuomotor accuracy task with the same limb. Performance in the ballistic task was tested before the training, after the training and in an immediate retention test after the practice of the interference task for both the trained and the untrained hand. After training, subjects showed not only significant learning and interference effects for the trained limb but also for the contralateral untrained limb. Importantly, the interference effect in the untrained limb was dependent on the level of skill acquisition in the interfering motor task. These behavioural results of the untrained limb were accompanied by training specific changes in corticospinal excitability, which increased for the hemisphere ipsilateral to the trained hand following ballistic training and decreased during accuracy training of the ipsilateral hand. The results demonstrate that contralateral interference effects may occur, and that interference depends on the level of skill acquisition in the interfering motor task. This finding might be particularly relevant for rehabilitation.
    OriginalsprogEngelsk
    Artikelnummere81038
    TidsskriftP L o S One
    Vol/bind8
    Udgave nummer12
    Antal sider8
    ISSN1932-6203
    DOI
    StatusUdgivet - 2013

    Bibliografisk note

    CURIS 2013 NEXS 316

    Citationsformater