Motor Learning

Your answers to the following questions should be based on the research articles listed below and class discussion.  In order to receive full credit your answers must be written in essay format (APA format is required).

Þ   Nieuwboer et al. (2009).  Motor learning in Parkinson’s disease:  limitations and potential for rehabilitation.  Parkinsonism and Related Disorder, 1553, S52-S58.

Þ   Onla-or & Winstein, (2008).  Determining optimal challenge point for motor skill learning in adults with moderately severe Parkinson’s disease.  Neurorehabilitaiton and Neural Repair, 22, 385-395.

1. Describe cued motor learning and provide an example of cueing for a Parkinson’s patient.

5 points

2. Discuss why cuing is considered a compensatory rehabilitation method for Parkinson’s disease? Explain. 6 points

3. As motor skill develops, how does brain activity change for healthy adults and patients with Parkinson’s disease. Explain. 6 points

4. Describe the optimal challenge point framework and discuss the significance of an optimal challenge point for motor learning. 6 points

5. Discuss what the authors know about motor learning and Parkinson’s disease prior to conducting the study and describe the “next step” the authors propose to advance our understanding in the current study. 6 points

6. Describe the task, experimental design, and procedure. 8 points

7. Discuss the findings as they relate to the research hypotheses. 6 points

8. Discuss the interpretation of these findings in light of what we already know about motor learning in persons with Parkinson’s disease. 12 points

9. Design a future study that would successfully advance our knowledge about determining an Optimal Challenge Point for motor skill learning in adults with Parkinson’s disease.

25 points