Movement Strategy Moderates the Effect of Spatially Congruent Cues on the Stability of Rhythmic Bimanual Finger Movements

Ronan Denyer ¹, Lara A Boyd ¹

⁰University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience +

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November 5, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Spatially congruent cues enhance bimanual movement stability, especially for asymmetric movements at high frequencies. This effect is linked to a shift from discontinuous to continuous movement strategies.

Area Of Science

Neuroscience
Human Motor Control
Perception-Action Coupling

Background

Bimanual movements involve coordinated actions of both hands.
Movement stability is crucial for precise motor control.
The influence of cue type on bimanual movement stability, particularly for asymmetric movements, requires further investigation.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate if spatially congruent cues enhance the stability of asymmetric rhythmic bimanual movements.
To compare the effects of spatially congruent versus abstract symbolic cues on movement stability.
To explore the role of movement frequency and strategy in these effects.

Main Methods

Participants performed symmetric and asymmetric rhythmic finger tapping at various frequencies.
Movements were cued by spatially congruent and abstract symbolic stimuli.
Hand movements were recorded and analyzed using markerless motion tracking.

Main Results

Symmetric movements were more stable than asymmetric movements.
Spatially congruent cues improved stability for both symmetric and asymmetric movements compared to abstract cues.
These benefits were observed at high movement frequencies (>2 Hz).
A shift from discontinuous to continuous movement strategies occurred at higher frequencies.

Conclusions

Spatially congruent cues can enhance rhythmic bimanual movement stability, irrespective of movement symmetry.
The emergence of these benefits at high frequencies is associated with a shift in movement strategy.
Stimulus perceptual quality significantly impacts bimanual movement stability, contingent on selected movement strategies.