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Short-Term Motor Learning and Retention During Visually Guided Walking in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis
Kayla McGowan1, Shaila M Gunn1, Galina Vorobeychik2
11 Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair
|June 8, 2017
Summary
Persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) can effectively learn and retain new visuomotor skills during walking tasks. This indicates preserved motor learning and neural plasticity in PwMS with mild disability.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Motor adaptation and retention are crucial for daily living and rehabilitation.
- Limited research exists on motor learning in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), especially for complex walking tasks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the capacity of PwMS to learn and retain a new visuomotor map during visually guided walking.
- To assess short-term motor learning and retention abilities in PwMS.
Main Methods:
- Nineteen PwMS and 17 healthy controls performed a precision walking task with prism lenses altering the visuomotor map.
- Adaptation was assessed on day 1 and after a 1-week delay.
- Foot placement error relative to targets quantified motor performance.
Main Results:
- PwMS and controls showed similar adaptation rates and magnitudes to the novel visuomotor map.
- Both groups demonstrated comparable retention of the adaptation after 1 week.
- Reduced foot placement error and faster error reduction indicated retained motor learning.
Conclusions:
- Persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) demonstrate the ability to learn and retain novel visuomotor mappings during precision walking.
- This suggests preserved neural plasticity and short-term motor learning capabilities in PwMS with mild disability.
- Findings support the potential for motor rehabilitation strategies targeting visuomotor adaptation in PwMS.
