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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04270448

Effects of Feedback on Learning of a Motor Sequence Task

Feedback delivered during motor practice can help promote motor skill learning and promote confidence. However, the optimal way to provide feedback to promote learning and confidence is unknown. This project will study how the feedback that is provided during practice of a movement skill can help people learn and build confidence. The investigators will measure motor skill performance and confidence before and after a session of motor practice.

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Key information

Conditions

Adult

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina, 29208, United States

About this study

Feedback may be a useful tool to optimize motor learning during practice. For example, feedback during practice that indicates the learner is performing above average (i.e. positive social comparative feedback) enhances motor skill learning and self-efficacy in healthy adults. While this type of feedback is hypothesized to promote learning in some tasks, no studies have examined whether positive social comparative feedback during practice promotes motor learning in a traditional motor sequence task. Therefore, the aim of the proposed project is to investigate the effect of positive social comparative feedback on the learning of a joystick-based motor sequence task in healthy adults. The study aims to recruit 60 participants who will be randomized into 1 of 3 feedback groups (control group, performance feedback, and performance plus positive feedback). Participants will practice a motor sequence task on a single day and then return for retention performance testing about 24 hours later. Changes in performance (response time to complete a sequence) and self-efficacy will be measured from baseline to 24 hours later at retention.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18 to 40 years
  • Right-hand dominant

Exclusion criteria

  • Medical diagnosis or medication that affects dopamine (e.g. dopamine reuptake inhibitors)
  • musculoskeletal issues that limit upper extremity movement

Treatment and study plan

Motor Sequence Task

Behavioral

Participants will be seated at a laptop with the right hand on a standard joystick. The movement of the joystick will move a cursor on the computer screen. Targets will appear on the laptop screen as a circle in one of twelve spatially distinct locations. The learner must move the joystick "cursor" to inside the target before the next target will appear.

Primary outcomes

  1. Response Time

    Time frame: Change from baseline to retention at 24 hours

    Time to complete one sequence

  2. Task Confidence

    Time frame: Change from baseline to retention at 24 hours

    Self-reported confidence in ability to complete a sequence in a given time on a scale of 0 to 10 with a 10 equating to higher confidence

Secondary outcomes

  1. Peak Velocity

    Time frame: Change from baseline to retention at 24 hours

    Average speed to capture a target within a sequence

  2. Peak Velocity

    Time frame: Change from baseline to immediately after practice

    Average speed to capture a target within a sequence

  3. Total Path Distance

    Time frame: Change from baseline to retention at 24 hours

    Total distance traveled to complete one sequence

  4. Total Path Distance

    Time frame: Change from baseline to immediately after practice

    Total distance traveled to complete one sequence

  5. Time to Peak Velocity

    Time frame: Change from baseline to retention at 24 hours

    Mean time to peak velocity for movement to a target within a sequence

  6. Time to Peak Velocity

    Time frame: Change from baseline to immediately after practice

    Mean time to peak velocity for movement to a target within a sequence

  7. Perceived Competence

    Time frame: Change from baseline to retention at 24 hours

    Mean score on the Perceived Competence subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory where each item ranges from 0 to 7 with a higher value equating to higher competence

  8. Perceived Competence

    Time frame: Change from baseline to immediately after practice

    Mean score on the Perceived Competence subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory where each item ranges from 0 to 7 with a higher value equating to higher competence

  9. Perceived Interest/Enjoyment

    Time frame: Change from baseline to retention at 24 hours

    Mean score on the Interest/Enjoyment subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory where each item ranges from 0 to 7 with a higher value equating to higher enjoyment

  10. Perceived Interest/Enjoyment

    Time frame: Change from baseline to immediately after practice

    Mean score on the Interest/Enjoyment subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory where each item ranges from 0 to 7 with a higher value equating to higher enjoyment

  11. Positive Affect

    Time frame: Change from baseline to retention at 24 hours

    Total score for general positive affect on the Positive and Negative Affect Scale with a range from 10 to 50 with higher scores equating to higher positive affect

  12. Positive Affect

    Time frame: Change from baseline to immediately after practice

    Total score for general positive affect on the Positive and Negative Affect Scale with a range from 10 to 50 with higher scores equating to higher positive affect

  13. Response Time

    Time frame: Change from baseline to immediately after practice

    Time to complete one sequence

  14. Task Confidence

    Time frame: Change from baseline to immediately after practice

    Self-reported confidence in ability to complete a sequence in a given time on a scale of 0 to 10 with a 10 equating to higher confidence

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of South Carolina

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Feb 17, 2020
Registry last updated
Jul 20, 2021

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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