Attention focus modulates afferent input to motor cortex during skilled action

Suzuki, L.Y.; Meehan, Sean K.

doi:10.1016/j.humov.2020.102716

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Behavioral effects have dominated the attentional focus literature. Some, although more limited, attention has been paid to potential neural or brain-related underpinnings of the EF advantage, particularly those in motor cortex and somatosensory areas (Kuhn et al, 2018; Kuhn et al, 2017; Suzuki & Meehan, 2020; Zentgraf et al, 2009; Zimmermann et al, 2012). Using functional MRI, Zentgraf et al (2009) examined neural activation differences between groups performing practiced finger sequence movements under external or internal focus instructions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Disruptions to efficient goal-action coupling in IF conditions might be explained by more conscious constraint of the motor system in attempting to control movement processes (Wulf et al, 2001), with concomitant additional demand for coordination of these processes to produce a coherent response. Alternatively, or complementarily, an EF may be preventative, reducing accessibility to afferent information (Suzuki & Meehan, 2020), potential self-referential processing, or activation of a self-invoking trigger associated with (IF) references to one’s own body (McKay et al, 2015; Wulf & Lewthwaite, 2010; Yin et al, 2019). Increased confidence that accrues with effective performance and ease of movement may result in additional performance and learning benefits (Wulf & Lewthwaite, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Superiority of external attentional focus for motor performance and learning: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Chua

Díaz²,

Lewthwaite³

et al. 2021

Psychological Bulletin

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Considerable literature on the role of attentional focus in motor performance and learning has accumulated for over two decades. We report the results of comprehensive meta-analyses that address the impact of an external focus (EF, on intended movement effects) versus internal focus (IF, on movements of body parts) of attention on the performance and learning of motor skills. Values of effect sizes (ES) from 73 studies with 1,824 participants and 40 studies with 1,274 participants were used for examining the effects of EF versus IF on behavioral outcomes of motor performance and learning (separately for retention and transfer phases) respectively. The EF condition was more effective than the IF condition for performance, Hedges’ g value = 0.264 (95% CI [0.217, 0.310]), retention learning, Hedges’ g value = 0.583 (95% CI [0.425, 0.741]), and transfer learning, Hedges’ g value = 0.584 (95% CI [0.325, 0.842]). Multivariable metaregression analyses on behavioral measures further indicated that neither age group, health status, or skill level, nor their two-way interactions, moderated the ES differences between EF and IF in performance, retention, and transfer models (all p > .100). A secondary analysis on 12 studies with 216 participants that examined the effects of EF versus IF on electromyographic outcomes of motor performance also indicated that EF was associated with more efficient neuromuscular processing, Hedges’ g value = 0.833 (95% CI [0.453, 1.213]). From nine studies with 272 participants, performance measured by behavioral outcomes was found to be more effective when a more distal, rather than proximal, EF was used, Hedges’ g value = 0.224 (95% CI [0.019, 0.429]). Overall, the meta-analytic results are consistent with prior narrative reviews and indicate that an external focus is superior to an internal focus whether considering tests of motor performance or learning, and regardless of age, health condition, and level of skill expertise.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Superiority of external attentional focus for motor performance and learning: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Chua

Díaz²,

Lewthwaite³

et al. 2021

Psychological Bulletin

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“…However, modulation of sensorimotor inhibition may also stem from the engagement of attentional circuits. Indeed, paying attention to the body part tested in the SAI protocol (hand) during an attentional task (internal focus) leads to a greater SAI with respect to what observed when the focus is external 69 . Such an effect was explained by observing that internal focus might result in an augmentation of somatosensory volleys from the specific body part, which is in keeping with the notion that observing and paying attention to a specific body part enhance the somatosensory representation of that body part 70 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensorimotor inhibition during emotional processing

Botta

Lagravinese

Bove

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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Visual processing of emotional stimuli has been shown to engage complex cortical and subcortical networks, but it is still unclear how it affects sensorimotor integration processes. To fill this gap, here, we used a TMS protocol named short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI), capturing sensorimotor interactions, while healthy participants were observing emotional body language (EBL) and International Affective Picture System (IAPS) stimuli. Participants were presented with emotional (fear- and happiness-related) or non-emotional (neutral) EBL and IAPS stimuli while SAI was tested at 120 ms and 300 ms after pictures presentation. At the earlier time point (120 ms), we found that fear-related EBL and IAPS stimuli selectively enhanced SAI as indexed by the greater inhibitory effect of somatosensory afferents on motor excitability. Larger early SAI enhancement was associated with lower scores at the Behavioural Inhibition Scale (BIS). At the later time point (300 ms), we found a generalized SAI decrease for all kind of stimuli (fear, happiness or neutral). Because the SAI index reflects integrative activity of cholinergic sensorimotor circuits, our findings suggest greater sensitivity of such circuits during early (120 ms) processing of threat-related information. Moreover, the correlation with BIS score may suggest increased attention and sensory vigilance in participants with greater anxiety-related dispositions. In conclusion, the results of this study show that sensorimotor inhibition is rapidly enhanced while processing threatening stimuli and that SAI protocol might be a valuable option in evaluating emotional-motor interactions in physiological and pathological conditions.

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“…46 An external focus of attention may be successful by facilitating functional connectivity, modulating surround inhibition, and increasing intracortical inhibition to resemble the sensorimotor integration typically seen in more skilled action. [47][48][49] The constrained action hypothesis suggests that an internal focus disrupts the motor system by promoting conscious control which leads to a breakdown in the in the otherwise natural organized coordination of one's movement. On the other hand, an external focus allows for a greater degree of self-organization by promoting automatic control processes.…”

Section: Considering An External Focus Of Attention To Optimize Movement Outcomementioning

confidence: 99%

Effective Attentional Focus Strategies after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Commentary

Singh

Gokeler

Benjaminse

2021

International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy

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Individuals after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) have a high rate of reinjury upon return to competitive sports. Deficits in motor control may influence reinjury risk and can be addressed during rehabilitation with motor learning strategies. When instructing patients in performing motor tasks after ACLR, an external focus of attention directed to the intended movement effect has been shown to be more effective in reducing reinjury risk than an internal focus of attention on body movements. While this concept is mostly agreed upon, recent literature has made it clear that the interpretation and implementation of an external focus of attention within ACLR rehabilitation needs to be better described. The purpose of this commentary is to provide a clinical framework for the application of attentional focus strategies and guide clinicians towards effectively utilizing an external focus of attention in rehabilitation after ACLR.

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Attention focus modulates afferent input to motor cortex during skilled action

Cited by 10 publications

References 46 publications

Superiority of external attentional focus for motor performance and learning: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Superiority of external attentional focus for motor performance and learning: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Sensorimotor inhibition during emotional processing

Effective Attentional Focus Strategies after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Commentary

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