title: Visuospatial working memory training facilitates visually-aided explicit sequence learning.
abstract: Finger sequence learning requires visuospatial working memory (WM). However, the dynamics between age, WM training, and motor skill acquisition are unclear. Therefore, we examined how visuospatial WM training improves finger movement sequential accuracy in younger (n=26, 21.1±1.37years) and older adults (n=22, 70.6±4.01years). After performing a finger sequence learning exercise and numerical and spatial WM tasks, participants in each age group were randomly assigned to either the experimental (EX) or control (CO) groups. For one hour daily over a 10-day period, the EX group practiced an adaptive n-back spatial task while those in the CO group practiced a non-adaptive version. As a result of WM practice, the EX participants increased their accuracy in the spatial n-back tasks, while accuracy remained unimproved in the numerical n-back tasks. In all groups, reaction times (RT) became shorter in most numerical and spatial n-back tasks. The learners in the EX group - but not in the CO group - showed improvements in their retention of finger sequences. The findings support our hypothesis that computerized visuospatial WM training improves finger sequence learning both in younger and in older adults. We discuss the theoretical implications and clinical relevance of this research for motor learning and functional rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Neuroscience, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, China.
authors.forename: John S Y
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Qiaofeng
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Neuroscience, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Danxia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Neuroscience, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China. Electronic address: jhyan@sfsu.edu.
authors.forename: Jin H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D059032:Learning Curve; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D009048:Motor Skills; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011930:Reaction Time; D013028:Space Perception; D014163:Transfer, Psychology; D014796:Visual Perception; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Aging; Memory practice; Rehabilitation; Skill retention; Working memory