Priming error detection to augment learning of an upper extremity motor task: a proof-of-principle study

Preparing the nervous system prior to practicing a new task may be a viable way to augment motor learning. This approach, known as priming, attempts to make the nervous system more effective during practice by preparing it prior to practice. The development and adaptation of motor behavior occurs through a process of error-based learning. An error response in a cognitive task elicits an amplified neurophysiological response within the prefrontal cortex that is thought to indicate activation of the error monitoring system. This amplified neurophysiological response is indicative of an increase in error detection as a means to improve performance. Priming the error detection system might make error detection in a subsequent motor task easier and faster than if the system were not primed. This ultimately might result in improved learning. If successful, priming error detection may prove to effectively improve learning of new skills (or relearning of previously-learned motor skills) in rehabilitation. We evaluated the effect of priming error detection on learning a motor task. We hypothesized that priming error detection would result in improved motor performance throughout the learning process (up to one week) on the trained task and untrained tasks when compared to a group who was not primed for error detection. Thirty healthy young adults were randomized into two groups. Each group trained on a functional reaching task following completion of their respective priming task. Motor performance on the trained task and two other untrained tasks were assessed one day after training and one week after training. Another group was recruited as a no-training group to determine if improvements on the untrained tasks were due to motor skill transfer. Results of this study demonstrated that priming error detection just prior to training may increase the rate, but not the amount, of motor task learning. Further, the groups improvement on the untrained tasks (i.e., transfer tasks) was not due to motor skill transfer as the no-training group improved a similar amount. Collectively, priming error detection prior to motor training may be a viable method for augmenting learning of a motor task. Further, the results suggesting that transfer did not occur should be interpreted cautiously as our testing conditions may have caused sufficient repetitions of the transfer tasks throughout the protocol that a learning effect occurred.