title: Transfer of motor learning from virtual to natural environments in individuals with cerebral palsy.
abstract: With the growing accessibility of computer-assisted technology, rehabilitation programs for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) increasingly use virtual reality environments to enhance motor practice. Thus, it is important to examine whether performance improvements in the virtual environment generalize to the natural environment. To examine this issue, we had 64 individuals, 32 of which were individuals with CP and 32 typically developing individuals, practice two coincidence-timing tasks. In the more tangible button-press task, the individuals were required to 'intercept' a falling virtual object at the moment it reached the interception point by pressing a key. In the more abstract, less tangible task, they were instructed to 'intercept' the virtual object by making a hand movement in a virtual environment. The results showed that individuals with CP timed less accurate than typically developing individuals, especially for the more abstract task in the virtual environment. The individuals with CP did-as did their typically developing peers-improve coincidence timing with practice on both tasks. Importantly, however, these improvements were specific to the practice environment; there was no transfer of learning. It is concluded that the implementation of virtual environments for motor rehabilitation in individuals with CP should not be taken for granted but needs to be considered carefully.
authors: School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: carlosfisi@uol.com.br.
authors: Carlos Bandeira
authors: CB
authors: de Mello Monteiro
authors: School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Thais
authors: T
authors: Massetti
authors: School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Talita Dias
authors: TD
authors: da Silva
authors: MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Institute of Human Performance, University of Hong Kong, 111-113 Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: van der Kamp
authors: School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, CEP: 01255-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Luiz Carlos
authors: LC
authors: de Abreu
authors: School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, CEP: 01255-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Leone
authors: MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Academy for Physical Education, University of Applied Sciences, Dr. Meurerlaan 8, 1067 SM Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Geert J P
authors: GJ
authors: Savelsbergh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D014163:Transfer, Psychology; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cerebral palsy; Rehabilitation; User–computer interface; Virtual reality