Feedback, Motor Sequence Learning, and Brain Connectivity

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Adult
• Interventions: Behavioral: Motor Sequence Task

• Registration Number: NCT04971486
• Lead Sponsor: University of South Carolina

Brief Summary

Feedback delivered during motor practice can help promote motor skill learning, enhance confidence, and alter brain connectivity. However, the optimal way to provide feedback to promote learning, confidence and brain connectivity is unknown. This project will study how the feedback that is provided during practice of a movement skill can help people learn and build confidence and whether these correspond to changes in brain function. The investigators will measure motor skill performance, confidence, and resting state brain connectivity before and after a session of motor practice.

Detailed Description

Positive social comparative feedback, which indicate to the learner that they are performing above average, is one way to enhance a learner's expectancies about future performance. Expectancies include the learners' perceived competence about their ability to perform the task, expectations about task outcome (success or failure), and predictions of extrinsic reward or positive experiences related to performance. Positive feedback during motor practice enhances expectancies, which is hypothesized to be rewarding to the learner, leading to better skill performance and learning. Reward is a powerful shaper of behavior. However, while social comparative feedback supports motor skill learning, it is unclear whether positive social comparative feedback induces a response in the dopamine reward network. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the effects of social comparative feedback during motor practice on the functional connectivity of the reward neural network. The study aims to recruit 40 participants who will be randomized into 1 of 2 feedback groups (performance feedback or performance plus positive feedback). Participants will practice a motor sequence task on a single day and then return for retention performance testing about 24 hours later. Measures of brain function and brain structure will be collected before and after practice on day 1. Changes in performance (response time to complete a sequence) and self-efficacy will be measured from baseline to 24 hours later at retention. Changes in brain functional connectivity over practice on day 1 will be assessed in the reward network and the motor network.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2021-04-01
• Study First Submitted: 2021-07-20
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-07-20
• Study First Posted: 2021-07-21
• Status Verified: 2022-01
• Primary Completion: 2022-01-10
• Study Completion: 2022-01-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-01-12
• Last Update Posted: 2022-01-13

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 33

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 18 to 40 years
• Right-hand dominant

Exclusion Criteria

• Medical diagnosis or medication that affects dopamine (e.g. dopamine reuptake inhibitors)
• Musculoskeletal issues that limit upper extremity movement
• Contraindications for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Performance plus Positive Feedback	Motor Sequence Task	Practice of a joystick based motor sequence task. Participants receive feedback on their response time to complete the trials in the practice block plus positive social comparative feedback.
Performance Feedback	Motor Sequence Task	Practice of a joystick based motor sequence task. Participants receive feedback on their response time to complete the trials in the practice block.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Response Time	Change from baseline to retention at 24 hours	Time to complete one sequence
Task Confidence	Change from baseline to retention at 24 hours	Self-reported confidence in ability to complete a sequence in a given time on a scale of 0 to 10 with a 10 equating to higher confidence
Brain Connectivity	Change from baseline to immediately after practice	Resting state connectivity between pairs of brain regions

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Perceived Competence	Change from baseline to immediately after practice	Mean score on the Perceived Competence subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory where each item ranges from 0 to 7 with a higher value equating to higher competence
Peak Velocity	Change from baseline to immediately after practice	Average speed to capture a target within a sequence
Total Path Distance	Change from baseline to immediately after practice	Total distance traveled to complete one sequence
Time to Peak Velocity	Change from baseline to immediately after practice	Mean time to peak velocity for movement to a target within a sequence
Positive Affect	Change from baseline to immediately after practice	Total score for general positive affect on the Positive and Negative Affect Scale with a range from 10 to 50 with higher scores equating to higher positive affect
Task Confidence	Change from baseline to immediately after practice	Self-reported confidence in ability to complete a sequence in a given time on a scale of 0 to 10 with a 10 equating to higher confidence
Perceived Interest/Enjoyment	Change from baseline to immediately after practice	Mean score on the Interest/Enjoyment subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory where each item ranges from 0 to 7 with a higher value equating to higher enjoyment
Response Time	Change from baseline to immediately after practice	Time to complete one sequence
Brain Structure	Baseline assessment	Structural integrity of white matter pathways in the brain

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of South Carolina; 🇺🇸 Columbia, South Carolina, United States