Adaptation to rotated visual feedback: a re-examination of motor interference

Exp Brain Res. 2004 Jan;154(2):201-10. doi: 10.1007/s00221-003-1630-2. Epub 2003 Nov 8.

Abstract

We have tested human visuo-motor adaptation in rotated-feedback tasks in which subjects first learn to move a cursor to visual targets with a rotational perturbation between joystick and cursor, and are then challenged with the opposing rotation. We then retest the subjects in the original adaptation task, to measure retention of a short-term memory of its earlier learning. Others have used similar tasks and report retrograde interference between one task and the short-term motor memory of the preceding task, such that later performance is impaired. However, we show that in the short-term conditions tested here, these effects can be considered as anterograde interference effects between the two tasks and we find no evidence of retrograde interference.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / physiology*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cues
  • Feedback, Psychological / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Learning / physiology
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Movement / physiology
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
  • Rotation
  • Verbal Behavior / physiology
  • Visual Perception / physiology*