title: Synergy Repetition Training versus Task Repetition Training in Acquiring New Skill.
abstract: Traditionally, repetitive practice of a task is used to learn a new skill, exhibiting as immediately improved performance. Research suggests, however, that a more experience-based rather than exposure-based training protocol may allow for better transference of the skill to related tasks. In synergy-based motor control theory, fundamental motor skills, such as hand grasping, are represented with a synergy subspace that captures essential motor patterns. In this study, we propose that motor-skill learning through synergy-based mechanisms may provide advantages over traditional task repetition learning. A new task was designed to highlight the range of motion and dexterity of the human hand. Two separate training strategies were tested in healthy subjects: task repetition training and synergy training versus a control. All three groups showed improvements when retested on the same task. When tested on a similar, but different set of tasks, only the synergy group showed improvements in accuracy (9.27% increase) compared to the repetition (3.24% decline) and control (3.22% decline) groups. A kinematic analysis revealed that although joint angular peak velocities decreased, timing benefits stemmed from the initial feed-forward portion of the task (reaction time). Accuracy improvements may have derived from general improved coordination among the four involved fingers. These preliminary results warrant further investigation of synergy-based motor training in healthy individuals, as well as in individuals undergoing hand-based rehabilitative therapy.
authors.affiliation: Sensorimotor Control Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, and Biological Sciences, Stevens Institute of Technology , Hoboken, NJ , USA.
authors.forename: Vrajeshri
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Sensorimotor Control Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, and Biological Sciences, Stevens Institute of Technology , Hoboken, NJ , USA.
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.affiliation: Sensorimotor Control Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, and Biological Sciences, Stevens Institute of Technology , Hoboken, NJ , USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schumacher
authors.affiliation: Sensorimotor Control Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, and Biological Sciences, Stevens Institute of Technology , Hoboken, NJ , USA.
authors.forename: Martin K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.affiliation: Sensorimotor Control Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, and Biological Sciences, Stevens Institute of Technology , Hoboken, NJ , USA.
authors.forename: Ionut
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Florescu
authors.affiliation: Sensorimotor Control Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, and Biological Sciences, Stevens Institute of Technology , Hoboken, NJ , USA.
authors.forename: Ramana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vinjamuri
keywords: hand; kinematic synergies; motor learning; principal component analysis; rehabilitation