Visuomotor adaptation and savings are preserved in individuals with depression

Depression is a mental disorder associated primarily with mood and cognitive symptoms. Several studies show that depression is additionally accompanied by decrements in gross and fine motor functioning. The present study examined to what extent depression affects the ability to adapt sensorimotor behavior. A total of 20 participants with depression and 22 controls performed a manual adaptation task in which they had to adapt joystick movements to a visual perturbation. We assessed the rate of adaptation following the introduction of the visual perturbation (both for early and later stages of adaptation) and the rate of de-adaptation following its removal. In addition, questionnaires were used to measure severity of depressive symptoms and quality of life. Participants completed these assessments twice (i.e., at baseline and after an approximately 15-week interval), allowing us to also assess savings of adaptation as well as the link between changes in mood and sensorimotor performance. We found that across all participants reliable adaptation patterns and savings of adaptation were observed. Results of Bayesian models showed moderate evidence indicating that depression was not associated with poorer adaptability or savings. Furthermore, adaptation rates were not associated with the severity of depressive symptoms. These findings further refine the psychomotor profile of depression and suggest that it does not affect sensorimotor adaptation or savings of adaptation.