Motor Learning in Stroke: Trained Patients Are Not Equal to Untrained Patients With Less Impairment

ABSTRACT:

Background and objective

Stroke rehabilitation assumes motor learning contributes to motor recovery, yet motor learning in stroke has received little systematic investigation. Here we aimed to illustrate that despite matching levels of performance on a task, a trained patient should not be considered equal to an untrained patient with less impairment.

Methods

We examined motor learning in healthy control participants and groups of stroke survivors with mild-to-moderate or moderate-to-severe motor impairment. Participants performed a series of isometric contractions of the elbow flexors to navigate an on-screen cursor to different targets, and trained to perform this task over a 4-day period. The speed-accuracy trade-off function (SAF) was assessed for each group, controlling

SUBMITTER: Hardwick RM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5292612 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature