Feedback Schedule Effects on Speech Motor Learning in Older Adults

Abstract

Purpose:The Principles of Motor Learning (PML) emerged from studies of limb motor skills in healthy, young adults. The applicability of these principles to speech motor learning, and to older adults, is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to examine one PML, feedback frequency, and to elucidate whether it affects the retention of a speech motor task.

Exploring the Impact of Two Feedback Types on Speech Intelligibility, Precision, and Naturalness

“…As discussed by Bislick and colleagues (2012), speech articulation is a highly complex and varied motor skill that is performed at an exceptionally rapid rate, without visual feedback of all the speech structures, and, unlike some limb movements, speech movements require symmetric and synchronous movements of bilaterally innervated structures that do not involve joint action. However, as reported by Weir-Mayta et al (20192022, the similarities between the two motor systems in their requirements for movement planning, trajectory, timing, coordination, sequencing, and biomechanics (Grimme et al 2011) provide support for applicability of PMLs to facilitate motor learning in speech as well. These similarities have motivated the investigation of the application of PMLs to speech in healthy young adults (Adams & Page 2000;Jones & Croot 2016;Kim et al 2012;Lowe & Buchwald 2017;Steinhauer &Grayhack 2000;Scheiner et al 2014) and healthy older adults (Kaipa et al 2017;Weir-Mayta et al 2019.…”

“…However, as reported by Weir-Mayta et al (20192022, the similarities between the two motor systems in their requirements for movement planning, trajectory, timing, coordination, sequencing, and biomechanics (Grimme et al 2011) provide support for applicability of PMLs to facilitate motor learning in speech as well. These similarities have motivated the investigation of the application of PMLs to speech in healthy young adults (Adams & Page 2000;Jones & Croot 2016;Kim et al 2012;Lowe & Buchwald 2017;Steinhauer &Grayhack 2000;Scheiner et al 2014) and healthy older adults (Kaipa et al 2017;Weir-Mayta et al 2019. 2022).…”

“…Findings from most of the studies examining PML in young adults suggest that the application of PML benefits speech motor learning similarly with limb motor learning. Investigations in older adults have yielded inconsistent results, with some showing outcomes similar to limb studies, and others yielding inconsistent findings (Weir-Mayta et al 2022).…”

“…Testing occurred at 1 day post-training and 1 week post-training. This training and testing schedule followed that of previous studies examining the application of PML limb and speech learning (e.g., Anderson et al 2001;Bislick et al 2013;Kim et al 2012;Schmidt & Bjork 1992;Weir-Mayta et al 2019). All sessions were audio recorded and assessed for fidelity.…”

Motor Coordination and Its Importance in Practicing Performance Movement

“…Coordination is achieved by triggering a motor program developed based on previously assimilated abilities (motor learning), and when presented with a new motor skill, a person learns the new motor program as a set of generalized rules or abstract representations of the basic movement model that can be applied to a variety of contexts [28]. Studies in the field show the importance of neuromuscular coordination in different human movements in general [29] and in learning and developing sports skills, performance movement, because coordination allows movements to be controlled and adjusted in real time to meet performance goals [30,31].…”