Influence of altered sensory input and Cortical Asymmetry on Movement Induced Plasticity

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My research is focused on understanding differences in neural plasticity when motor skill acquisition occurs in the presence of altered sensory inputs, and how lateralization of brain function and hand preference factor into this. Adaptive (beneficial) plasticity enhances motor learning and performance; while maladaptive (harmful) plasticity leads to faulty movement patterns, decreasing speed and accuracy of motor performance, and creating the potential for injury. In occupational, recreational or sporting contexts, we are often learning new motor skills while extraneous sensory stimuli such as vibration or pain are present. This Discovery Grant addresses how altered sensory inputs such as pain, influence whether movement induced plasticity is adaptive or maladaptive. Hand dominance or laterality is a model of lifelong use-dependent plasticity and this research also seeks to understand how motor control differences between the Dominant (Dom) and non-dominant (NonDom) limbs influences the potential for adaptive or maladaptive plasticity in response to motor training