title: Sensorimotor Learning of Acupuncture Needle Manipulation Using Visual Feedback.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Humans can acquire a wide variety of motor skills using sensory feedback pertaining to discrepancies between intended and actual movements. Acupuncture needle manipulation involves sophisticated hand movements and represents a fundamental skill for acupuncturists. We investigated whether untrained students could improve their motor performance during acupuncture needle manipulation using visual feedback (VF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one untrained medical students were included, randomly divided into concurrent (n = 10) and post-trial (n = 11) VF groups. Both groups were trained in simple lift/thrusting techniques during session 1, and in complicated lift/thrusting techniques in session 2 (eight training trials per session). We compared the motion patterns and error magnitudes of pre- and post-training tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During motion pattern analysis, both the concurrent and post-trial VF groups exhibited greater improvements in motion patterns during the complicated lifting/thrusting session. In the magnitude error analysis, both groups also exhibited reduced error magnitudes during the simple lifting/thrusting session. For the training period, the concurrent VF group exhibited reduced error magnitudes across all training trials, whereas the post-trial VF group was characterized by greater error magnitudes during initial trials, which gradually reduced during later trials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that novices can improve the sophisticated hand movements required for acupuncture needle manipulation using sensorimotor learning with VF. Use of two types of VF can be beneficial for untrained students in terms of learning how to manipulate acupuncture needles, using either automatic or cognitive processes.
authors.affiliation: Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Won-Mo
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jinwoong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: In-Seon
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hi-Joon
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wallraven
authors.affiliation: Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Younbyoung
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chae
mesh_terms: D026881:Acupuncture / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D056228:Feedback, Sensory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D014796:Visual Perception; D055815:Young Adult