Characterising neuroplasticity stimulated by covert practice and the nature of learning through covert practice

表征隐秘实践刺激的神经可塑性以及通过隐秘实践学习的本质

• 批准号: RGPIN-2022-03538
• 负责人: Kraeutner, Sarah
• 金额: $ 2.11万
• 依托单位: University of British Columbia
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=761815
• 关键词: Characterising; neuroplasticity; stimulated; covert; practice

We usually learn and maintain a motor skill through physical practice. Yet, we can also learn through covert practice. One form of covert practice is called motor imagery, and is when we imagine performing a movement without actually moving. Another form of covert practice is called action observation, and is when we watch someone else perform a movement. To date we know a lot about how the brain works to support physical practice, and how this translates to learning, but this is not true for motor imagery or action observation. If we know how these forms of practice work, we can use them more effectively to help people learn new movements (e.g. sports, surgical skills, and/or in settings where physical practice is limited or not desired, such as following physical or neurological injury). The long term-goal of my research program is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the neural and behavioural mechanisms that underlie covert practice, and to develop tools that influence their use for learning. My five-year research program will expand our understanding of how learning through motor imagery differs from action observation via two short-term objectives. This research program will train 3 MS, 2 MS-PhD-track, and 1 PhD, with assistance from 7 undergraduates (honours). First, we will test what parts of a skill are learned when we practice through motor imagery and action observation. People will learn a movement via each form of practice and then they will be tested in different ways. These types of tests allow us to assess the parts of the skill that were learned. We will also evaluate how key brain regions interact during each form of practice. We will measure these interactions using special equipment that allows us to capture the direct influence one brain region has on another; an approach not yet done. Second, we will explore how learning through both forms of covert practice is influenced by expertise. Experts and novices of a skill will perform motor imagery and action observation. We will again measure how brain regions interact, and explore how learning through covert practice occurs across different skill levels. This research will allow us to test our hypothesis that learning occurs differently through each form of covert practice (in contrast to the prevalent theory). Specifically, we will show that distinct mechanisms underlie each form of covert practice, and that subsequent learning changes with expertise. We need this fundamental knowledge so that we can understand the best way to use motor imagery and action observation to help with skill learning. Overall, this research will provide unique opportunities for HQP to be trained in a blend of brain and behavioural techniques that are in high demand in numerous sectors (healthcare, academia, industry). This knowledge will make motor learning better in a wide range of areas that will ultimately have a positive impact on the everyday life and performance of Canadians.

我们通常通过身体练习来学习和保持运动技能。然而，我们也可以通过隐蔽的练习来学习。一种隐蔽练习的形式被称为运动想象，当我们想象执行一个动作而实际上没有移动。另一种形式的隐蔽练习被称为动作观察，当我们观看别人表演一个动作时。到目前为止，我们对大脑如何支持身体练习以及如何将其转化为学习了解很多，但对于运动想象或动作观察来说，这并不正确。如果我们知道这些形式的练习是如何工作的，我们就可以更有效地使用它们来帮助人们学习新的动作（例如运动，手术技巧，和/或在身体练习有限或不需要的环境中，例如身体或神经损伤）。我的研究计划的长期目标是发展的神经和行为机制的基础上的隐蔽练习的全面理解，并开发工具，影响其用于学习。我的五年研究计划将扩大我们的理解如何通过运动想象学习不同的行动观察通过两个短期目标。该研究计划将培养3名MS，2名MS-PhD-Track和1名PhD，并获得7名本科生（荣誉）的帮助。 首先，我们将测试当我们通过运动想象和动作观察练习时，我们学到了技能的哪些部分。人们将通过每种形式的练习来学习一个动作，然后他们将以不同的方式进行测试。这些类型的测试使我们能够评估所学到的技能的部分。我们还将评估关键的大脑区域如何在每种形式的练习中相互作用。我们将使用特殊的设备来测量这些相互作用，这些设备使我们能够捕捉到一个大脑区域对另一个大脑区域的直接影响;这是一种尚未完成的方法。其次，我们将探讨如何通过这两种形式的隐蔽练习学习是由专业知识的影响。一项技能的专家和新手将进行运动想象和动作观察。我们将再次测量大脑区域如何相互作用，并探索如何通过隐蔽练习学习发生在不同的技能水平。这项研究将使我们能够验证我们的假设，即学习通过每种形式的隐性实践发生不同（与流行的理论相反）。具体来说，我们将表明，不同的机制下的每一种形式的隐蔽做法，以及随后的学习与专业知识的变化。我们需要这些基础知识，这样我们才能理解使用运动想象和动作观察来帮助技能学习的最佳方法。总的来说，这项研究将为HQP提供独特的机会，使其能够在众多行业（医疗保健，学术界，工业）中获得高需求的大脑和行为技术的混合培训。这些知识将使运动学习在广泛的领域更好，最终将对加拿大人的日常生活和表现产生积极的影响。