The purpose of this research is to learn about practice conditions that may benefit stroke survivors when learning to use their more affected arm to perform a task. Participants will be randomized into two groups. Experimental and control groups will differ by one practice variable that will not be disclosed until completion of testing procedures. Participants will practice a motor task using both their more and less affected arms for two consecutive days. A Pre-Test will be administered on Day 1 before the training begins. Immediate Transfer of Learning will be administered on Day 2 after the completion of training. Delayed (24-hour) Retention and Transfer Tests will be administered on Day 3.
Stroke involves loss of blood flow to the brain and can cause impaired upper limb motor function, resulting in long term disability. Targeted motor learning interventions can improve skill acquisition and functional upper limb use after stroke. For example, repetitive practice of a motor task has been shown to improve motor learning outcomes. However, more research is currently needed to identify important active ingredients in complex motor learning interventions and determine the most effective approaches for improving upper limb recovery after stroke. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of a specific practice variable on motor learning for individuals with upper limb hemiparesis after stroke. This research will inform the development of future stroke rehabilitation interventions aimed at improving skill acquisition and motor learning.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
28
This group receives the practice variable. The practice variable being studied will not be disclosed until completion of testing procedures.
This group does not receive the practice variable. The practice variable being studied will not be disclosed until completion of testing procedures.
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
New York, New York, United States
24-Hour Retention Test: Number of completed scoops (more affected arm)
This is a 24-hour Retention Test of the trained motor task (the Scooping Task) that the participant practiced for 2 days. The participant is asked to use a spoon to scoop beans from one cup to another in an anterior-posterior direction, away from their body, for 30 seconds. One completed scoop occurs when at least one bean is transferred to the second cup. The score is the number of completed scoops that occur within 30 seconds. The participant will complete two blocks of five trials (30 seconds each). The number of completed scoops will be averaged across blocks of trials.
Time frame: Day 3
Immediate Transfer Test: Number of transported cubes (more affected arm)
This is an Immediate Transfer Test that will be administered on Day 2 following completion of training on the Scooping Task. The participant is asked to transport cubes in an anterior-posterior direction away from their body, using the Box and Block Test apparatus, for 30 seconds. The score is the number of cubes that are transported within 30 seconds. The participant will complete two blocks of five trials (30 seconds each). The number of transported cubes will be averaged across blocks of trials.
Time frame: Day 2
24-Hour Transfer Test: Number of transported cubes (more affected arm)
This is a 24-Hour Transfer Test that will be administered on Day 3. The participant is asked to transport cubes in an anterior-posterior direction away from their body, using the Box and Block Test apparatus, for 30 seconds. The score is the number of cubes that are transported within 30 seconds. The participant will complete two blocks of five trials (30 seconds each). The number of transported cubes will be averaged across blocks of trials.
Time frame: Day 3
Self-Efficacy Rating for Scooping Task
After completing training on Day 2, the participant will be asked to rate their confidence in achieving various scores on the trained motor task (the Scooping Task). Self-Efficacy will be rated using a 10 point scale (0 = Not confident at all; 10 = Very confident) with higher scores indicating a better outcomes. Scores will be calculated by averaging Self-Efficacy ratings.
Time frame: Day 2
Rating of Mood
After completing training on Day 2, participants will be asked to rate their mood using the valence subscale of the Self-Assessment Manikin, which is a non-verbal assessment of affect that has five pictures of smiling, neutral, and frowning faces. The participant rates their mood using a 9 point scale based on the pictures (1 = More positive affect; 9 = Less positive affect) with lower scores indicating a better outcome.
Time frame: Day 2
Interest/Enjoyment Subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory
After completing training on Day 2, the participant will complete items from the interest/enjoyment subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. This is an assessment of participant's subjective experience of the Scooping Task. Participants will rate each statement according to how true it is for them, using a 7 point scale (1 = Not true at all; 7 = Very true). Higher scores indicate greater interest/enjoyment when practicing the task (better outcome). Scores are calculated by averaging the item scores of the subscale.
Time frame: Day 2
Perceived Competence Subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory
After completing training on Day 2, the participant will complete items from the perceived competence subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. This is an assessment of participant's subjective experience of the Scooping Task. Participants will rate each statement according to how true it is for them, using a 7 point scale (1 = Not true at all; 7 = Very true). Higher scores indicate greater perceived competence when practicing the task (better outcome). Scores are calculated by averaging the item scores of the subscale.
Time frame: Day 2
Perceived Choice Subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory
After completing training on Day 2, the participant will complete items from the perceived choice subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. This is an assessment of participant's subjective experience of the Scooping Task. Participants will rate each statement according to how true it is for them, using a 7 point scale (1 = Not true at all; 7 = Very true). Higher scores indicate greater perceived choice when practicing the task (better outcome). Scores are calculated by averaging the item scores of the subscale.
Time frame: Day 2
Value Subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory
After completing training on Day 2, the participant will complete items from the value subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. This is an assessment of participant's subjective experience of the Scooping Task. Participants will rate each statement according to how true it is for them, using a 7 point scale (1 = Not true at all; 7 = Very true). Higher scores indicate greater value associated with the task (better outcome). Scores are calculated by averaging the item scores of the subscale.
Time frame: Day 2
Effort Subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory
After completing training on Day 2, the participant will complete items from the effort subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. This is an assessment of participant's subjective experience of the Scooping Task. Participants will rate each statement according to how true it is for them, using a 7 point scale (1 = Not true at all; 7 = Very true). Higher scores indicate greater effort associated with the task (better outcome). Scores are calculated by averaging the item scores of the subscale.
Time frame: Day 2
Pressure/Tension Subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory
After completing training on Day 2, the participant will complete items from the pressure/tension subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. This is an assessment of participant's subjective experience of the Scooping Task. Participants will rate each statement according to how true it is for them, using a 7 point scale (1 = Not true at all; 7 = Very true). Higher scores indicate greater pressure/tension when practicing the task (worse outcome). Scores are calculated by averaging the item scores of the subscale.
Time frame: Day 2
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