Motor learning elicited by voluntary drive

Abstract

Motor training consisting of voluntary movements leads to performance improvements and results in characteristic reorganizational changes in the motor cortex. It has been proposed that repetition of passively elicited movements could also lead to improvements in motor performance. In this study, we compared behavioural gains, changes in functional MRI (fMRI) activation in the contralateral primary motor cortex (cM1) and in motor cortex excitability measured with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) after a 30 min training period of either voluntarily (active) or passively (passive) induced wrist movements, when alertness and kinematic aspects of training were controlled. During active training, subjects were instructed to perform voluntary wrist flexion-extension movements of a specified duration (target window 174-186 ms) in an articulated splint. Passive training consisted of wrist flexion- extension movements elicited by a torque motor, of the same amplitude and duration range as in the active task. fMRI activation and TMS parameters of motor cortex excitability were measured before and after each training type. Motor performance, measured as the number of movements that hit the target window duration, was significantly better after active than after passive training. Both active and passive movements performed during fMRI measurements activated cM1. Active training led to more prominent increases in (i) fMRI activation of cM1; (ii) recruitment curves (TMS); and (iii) intracortical facilitation (TMS) than passive training. Therefore, a short period of active motor training is more effective than passive motor training in eliciting performance improvements and cortical reorganization. This result is consistent with the concept of a pivotal role for voluntary drive in motor learning and neurorehabilitation.

Cortical activation during executed, imagined, observed, and passive wrist movements in healthy volunteers and stroke patients

“…Previous studies showed in accordance with these ideas that the brain networks subserving passive movement and overt execution overlap strongly (Carel et al, 2000;Puce et al, 1995;Weiller et al, 1996;Yetkin et al, 1995) (but see Mima et al, 1999). Again, evidence suggests that passive movement can be successfully applied in motor rehabilitation (Dechaumont-Palacin et al, 2008;Hesse et al, 1995;Lewis and Byblow, 2004;Lindberg et al, 2004;Ward et al, 2006) (but see Lotze et al, 2003). Because the overt movement of the limb in passive movement is not controlled by the participant, we consider the passive movement condition used in the present manuscript as a covert movement mode as well.…”

Volition and Imagery in Neurorehabilitation

“…9 During active training, subjects were instructed to perform voluntary wrist flexion-extension movements of a specified duration in an articulated splint. Therefore, voluntary movements falling within a specified time window displayed on the screen monitor were considered correct hits.…”

A speech motor learning approach to treating apraxia of speech: Rationale and effects of intervention with an adult with acquired apraxia of speech

“…internally mediated and externally guided or mediated movements (Lotze, Braun, Birbaumer, Anders, & Cohen, 2003). Behavioural reactions to external stimuli are usually less impaired than internally initiated intentional behavioural actions (Romo & Schultz, 1992).…”