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Using Virtual Reality to Transfer Motor Skill Knowledge from One Hand to Another
Published on: September 18, 2017
Visuomotor adaptation in head-mounted virtual reality versus conventional training
J M Anglin1, T Sugiyama1, S-L Liew1
1Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, Department of Neurology, Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Scientific Reports
|April 5, 2017
Summary
Virtual reality (VR) and conventional training yield similar motor learning adaptation. However, VR relies more on cognitive strategies, while conventional training emphasizes implicit learning mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Motor control and learning
- Virtual reality applications
- Human adaptation
Background:
- Head-mounted virtual reality (HMD-VR) offers novel sensory environments for motor learning research.
- Mechanisms of motor adaptation in HMD-VR compared to conventional training (CT) are not fully understood.
- Visuomotor adaptation involves implicit (error-based) and explicit (cognitive) components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if HMD-VR and CT produce similar visuomotor adaptation effects.
- To determine if adaptation mechanisms (implicit vs. explicit) differ between HMD-VR and CT.
- To quantify the balance of implicit and explicit learning in both environments.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-four healthy participants were assigned to either HMD-VR or CT.
- An identical visuomotor rotation task was used to measure adaptation.
- The task assessed both implicit and explicit components of motor learning.
Main Results:
- The overall time course of visuomotor adaptation was comparable in both HMD-VR and CT.
- HMD-VR participants showed increased reliance on cognitive strategies.
- CT participants demonstrated greater engagement in implicit learning.
Conclusions:
- Both HMD-VR and CT facilitate similar overall motor adaptation.
- HMD-VR-based motor learning appears to depend more on cognitive strategies.
- Conventional training may engage implicit learning mechanisms more effectively.
