The feasibility and efficacy of a serial reaction time task that measures motor learning of anticipatory stepping

Olivier, Geneviève N.; Paul, Serene S.; Walter, Christopher S.; Hayes, Heather; Foreman, K. Bo; Duff, Kevin; Schaefer, Sydney Y.; Dibble, Leland E.

doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.04.002

Cited by 2 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…While our calculation of the point of plateau appeared to successfully capture the time during practice when our participants reached their performance plateau, this was the first study to use this method. More well-established methods were first considered during initial pilot testing, such as three-parameter exponential decay functions that were applied to existing datasets collected using the same motor task ( 20 , 33 ). However, multiple barriers were encountered that prevented this from being a viable approach.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Learning of the random and repeating sequences is thought to reflect general learning and repeated-sequence learning , respectively ( 20 ). The most common SRTTs used consist of seated upper extremity reaching and pointing, although recent studies have used a standing SRTT, in which participants step to the target instead of reaching to it ( 20 , 33 , 34 ). We selected this standing SRTT task because it has been shown to be a feasible and efficacious paradigm for measuring motor learning ( 33 ), specifically examining learning of stepping, which is a salient aspect ( 35 ) of the anticipatory postural adjustments necessary for functional standing and stepping.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A description of this standing SRTT has been published in detail previously ( 33 ). To summarize, participants stood on an instrumented step mat ( 33 , 36 ) and were instructed to step as fast as they safely could to the corresponding position on the mat in response to a visual stimulus presented on a computer screen ( Figure 1 ). The mat's size, design, and orientation were identical for all participants.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When the appropriate amount of force was applied to the correct target (minimum 66.4 Newtons, or 6.8 kg), the stimulus dimmed on the computer screen and participants returned their stepping foot to “home.” Participants had to apply enough force to the correct target with one foot, and then apply enough force to both home pressure pads (with one foot on each home pressure pad), before the subsequent stimulus would appear. Response time was collected and defined as the time in seconds from stimulus presentation to foot pressing on target ( 33 ). If a participant stepped to the wrong target, the visual stimulus would remain on the computer screen until the participant completed the step correctly (i.e., to the correct target, and with the requisite amount of force).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For both timepoints, calculations of mean response times were performed separately for the random and repeating sequences. The primary dependent variables were general learning (retention performance 3 on the random sequences) and repeated-sequence learning (retention performance on the repeating sequence) ( 20 , 33 ). The secondary dependent variable was performance time on a transfer task, used to test the extent to which proficiency on a task changes as a result of practicing another task ( 24 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Personalized practice dosages may improve motor learning in older adults compared to “standard of care” practice dosages: A randomized controlled trial

Olivier¹,

Dibble²,

Paul³

et al. 2022

Front. Rehabilit. Sci.

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Standard dosages of motor practice in clinical physical rehabilitation are insufficient to optimize motor learning, particularly for older patients who often learn at a slower rate than younger patients. Personalized practice dosing (i.e., practicing a task to or beyond one's plateau in performance) may provide a clinically feasible method for determining a dose of practice that is both standardized and individualized, and may improve motor learning. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether personalized practice dosages [practice to plateau (PtP) and overpractice (OVP)] improve retention and transfer of a motor task, compared to low dose [LD] practice that mimics standard clinical dosages. In this pilot randomized controlled trial (NCT02898701, ClinicalTrials.gov), community-dwelling older adults (n = 41, 25 female, mean age 68.9 years) with a range of balance ability performed a standing serial reaction time task in which they stepped to specific targets. Presented stimuli included random sequences and a blinded repeating sequence. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: LD (n = 15, 6 practice trials equaling 144 steps), PtP (n = 14, practice until reaching an estimated personal plateau in performance), or OVP (n = 12, practice 100% more trials after reaching an estimated plateau in performance). Measures of task-specific learning (i.e., faster speed on retention tests) and transfer of learning were performed after 2–4 days of no practice. Learning of the random sequence was greater for the OVP group compared to the LD group (p = 0.020). The OVP (p = 0.004) and PtP (p = 0.010) groups learned the repeated sequence more than the LD group, although the number of practice trials across groups more strongly predicted learning (p = 0.020) than did group assignment (OVP vs. PtP, p = 0.270). No group effect was observed for transfer, although significant transfer was observed in this study as a whole (p < 0.001). Overall, high and personalized dosages of postural training were well-tolerated by older adults, suggesting that this approach is clinically feasible. Practicing well-beyond standard dosages also improved motor learning. Further research should determine the clinical benefit of this personalized approach, and if one of the personalized approaches (PtP vs. OVP) is more beneficial than the other for older patients.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Personalized practice dosages may improve motor learning in older adults compared to “standard of care” practice dosages: A randomized controlled trial

Olivier¹,

Dibble²,

Paul³

et al. 2022

Front. Rehabilit. Sci.

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Motor Sequencing Learning from Dance Step: A whole-body version of the Discrete Sequence Production Task

Chan¹,

Verwey²,

Wiechmann³

2022

Preprint

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A major challenge in motor neuroscience is to understand the dynamics of motor learning and sequence acquisition in naturalistic settings beyond keyboard pressing tasks. A great deal of theory has been derived from established paradigms like the Discrete Sequence Production (DSP) task, yet it is largely unknown if applications beyond keyboard responses are feasible. In addition, further understanding of whole-body motor learning tasks would unravel other dimensions of motor coordination dynamics that contribute to learning. This leads to richer understanding of preparation, decision making, movement execution and optimisation processes when learning motor sequences. The current protocol describes how to conduct a modified DSP task by dance-stepping, allowing the study of whole-body dynamics. Firstly, we provide the necessary program in an E-Prime® script for replication and the DSP task is presented in a go/no-go method to further elucidate motor-specific execution. We explain a basic variant of the experiment with minimal and commercially available hardware, then scale the research possibilities and outline the integration of the Xsens motion capture systems for measuring kinematic variables like centre of mass displacement/ velocity changes. The additional measures allow researchers to investigate relationships between response times and movement kinematics for insight to learning processes. We showcase representative results to highlight possible ways data could be modelled. Finally, we cover the future opportunities and limitations of using such an approach. The goal is to make the experiment accessible for others to conduct that is supported by a publicly available video of the experimental procedure.

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The feasibility and efficacy of a serial reaction time task that measures motor learning of anticipatory stepping

Cited by 2 publications

References 48 publications

Personalized practice dosages may improve motor learning in older adults compared to “standard of care” practice dosages: A randomized controlled trial

Personalized practice dosages may improve motor learning in older adults compared to “standard of care” practice dosages: A randomized controlled trial

Motor Sequencing Learning from Dance Step: A whole-body version of the Discrete Sequence Production Task

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