Training with an upper-limb prosthetic simulator to enhance transfer of skill across limbs.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
To examine what effect bilateral transfer of movement across limbs may have in a person's ability to learn use of an upper-limb prosthetic simulator.

DESIGN:
Randomized trial.

SETTING:
University laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS:
Able-bodied subjects randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups.

INTERVENTIONS:
Subjects performed 3 different tasks that required manipulation of objects with the simulator. Group 1 practiced with the simulator on the preferred limb and then transferred it to the nonpreferred limb; group 2 practiced with the simulator on the nonpreferred limb and then transferred it to the preferred limb; group 3 was a control group. Groups 1 and 2 underwent pretest trials, acquisition practice, posttest trials, and a 24-hour retention test; the control group followed the same design with the exception of acquisition practice.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Elapsed time (1) from a signal to move until movement began (initiation time) and (2) from the beginning of movement to task completion (movement time).

RESULTS:
Compared with the controls, groups 1 and 2 significantly reduced initiation time across all tasks from pretest to posttest (P=.003) and from pretest to retention test (P=.029). Groups 1 and 2 did not differ from each other. Movement time did not differ among the groups in the posttest. However, groups 1 and 2 significantly (P=.026) reduced movement time across all tasks from pretest to retention test compared with the control group. Groups 1 and 2 did not differ from each other.

CONCLUSION:
The effects of bilateral transfer were evident for initiation time immediately on transfer, and this learning effect persisted to the retention test. The ability to execute movement, represented by movement time, occurred after consolidation of learning was complete. Cross-limb training with a prosthetic simulator may be useful for persons with recent unilateral upper-extremity amputation who are learning to use a prosthesis.Copyright 2003 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

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Author information

Author/s: Weeks, Douglas L (DL); Wallace, Stephen A (SA); Anderson, David I (DI);

Affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Regis University, Denver, CO 80221, USA. dweeks(-atsign-)regis.edu

Grants: 5 P20 RR11805 (Agency:NCRR NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation (Arch Phys Med Rehabil), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Mar; vol 84 (issue 3) : pp 437-43

Dates: Created 2003/03/14; Completed 2003/03/27; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 12638114, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Male
Motor Activity - physiology
Motor Skills - physiology
Reaction Time
Rehabilitation - instrumentation; methods
Retention (Psychology) - physiology
Transfer (Psychology) - physiology
Upper Extremity - physiology

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