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Brain functional differences in visuo-motor task adaptation between dominant and non-dominant hand training
Krystal M Kirby1,2, Sreekrishna Ramakrishna Pillai3, Owen T Carmichael3
1Fine Motor Control and Learning Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA. kkirb11@lsu.edu.
Experimental Brain Research
|September 23, 2019
Summary
Learning a new visuo-motor skill with the non-dominant hand recruits more brain regions during acquisition. Training the dominant hand shows greater brain activation during transfer, persistence, and after-effects, indicating distinct neural adaptation processes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Cognitive Rehabilitation
Background:
- Visuo-motor skill acquisition is crucial for development and rehabilitation.
- Neural mechanisms underlying learning and adapting visuo-motor tasks, especially with untrained limbs, require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural differences in learning and adapting a visuo-motor task using either the dominant or non-dominant hand.
- To examine brain activity changes during acquisition, transfer, persistence, and after-effects of the visuo-motor task.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to monitor brain activity in 27 healthy adults (18-35 years).
- Participants learned a visually rotated aiming task with either their dominant (D) or non-dominant (ND) hand.
- Performance and brain activation were assessed with trained and untrained hands before and after training.
Main Results:
- Both dominant and non-dominant hand training significantly improved task performance.
- The non-dominant hand group showed greater activation in visual and motor regions during initial task acquisition.
- The dominant hand group exhibited greater activation in motor planning regions, and showed more persistent activation and after-effects, suggesting distinct neural adaptation patterns.
Conclusions:
- Neural adaptation to visuo-motor skills differs based on whether the dominant or non-dominant hand is trained.
- Non-dominant hand training involves broader neural recruitment during learning, while dominant hand training is associated with enhanced bilateral transfer, persistence, and after-effects.
