Explicit and implicit motor learning in children with unilateral cerebral palsy
John van der Kamp1,2,3, Bert Steenbergen1,4,5,6, Rich S W Masters1,2,7
1a Research Institute MOVE Amsterdam , Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, VU University Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
Disability and Rehabilitation
|August 1, 2017
Summary
Children with right unilateral cerebral palsy show reduced explicit motor learning when learning without guidance. Implicit motor learning remains intact for all children with cerebral palsy, suggesting targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) affects motor control.
- Understanding motor learning capacities in UCP is crucial for effective rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate explicit and implicit motor learning in children with left and right UCP.
- To compare motor learning in children with UCP to typically developing children.
Main Methods:
- A prism-adaptation paradigm was used with typically developing children and children with left/right UCP.
- Participants shuffled disks toward a target under different instructional conditions.
- Explicit learning was assessed by adaptation rate; implicit learning by after-effect magnitude.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in motor learning were found between children with UCP and typically developing children.
- Children with right UCP showed reduced explicit learning adaptation when not given instructions.
- Implicit learning did not significantly differ between groups or hemispheres.
Conclusions:
- Explicit motor learning is impaired in right UCP when learning is unguided.
- Implicit motor learning appears preserved in children with left and right UCP.
- Rehabilitation should prioritize implicit motor learning interventions, especially for right UCP.
Related Concept Videos
01:11Direct Motor Pathways
4.8K
The direct motor pathways, also known as the pyramidal tracts, are a group of neural pathways that originate in the brain and descend through the spinal cord. They control the voluntary movement of the body. There are two major direct motor pathways: the corticospinal and the corticobulbar tracts.
The corticospinal tract is responsible for the voluntary movement of the limbs and trunk. It originates in the cerebral cortex of the brain and descends through the cerebrum's internal capsule and...
The corticospinal tract is responsible for the voluntary movement of the limbs and trunk. It originates in the cerebral cortex of the brain and descends through the cerebrum's internal capsule and...
4.8K
01:24Implicit Memories
512
Implicit memories, also known as non-declarative memories, are long-term memories that function outside of conscious awareness. These memories influence behavior and skills without explicit knowledge. This type of memory is evident in tasks like playing tennis, snowboarding, and texting. Implicit memory has three subsystems: procedural memory, conditioning, and priming. This type of memory is essential in various activities, from everyday tasks to specialized skills.
One key aspect of implicit...
One key aspect of implicit...
512