title: Modification of a functional motor task by non-consciously perceived sensory stimuli.
abstract: In recent years it has been suggested that processing of visual information is divided between a ventral stream, responsible for object recognition and conscious processing of object properties, and a dorsal stream mediating automatic integration of visual information into a motor task. We used metacontrast masking to prevent conscious perception of visual cues concerning the load of an object to be lifted in a precision grip. It was found that when such non-consciously perceived cues warned of a load change, they allowed the subjects to produce the grip force profile appropriate to the new load. It is concluded that non-consciously perceived visual information can be utilised to adapt a functional motor task to actual conditions.
authors.affiliation: Neurologische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum der RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52057 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fellows
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tabaza
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heumann
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Klotz
authors.forename: Odmar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Noth
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Töpper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003243:Consciousness / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014473:Unconscious, Psychology