Neural Mechanisms of the Contextual Interference Effect: A fNIRs and EEG Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The overall goal of this study is to gain insight into the neural mechanisms of learning multiple tasks. By examination of cognitive and behavioral output during the performance and learning of several computer maze tasks, and through a detailed examination of the neural activity obtained from functional near-infrared (fNIR) and electroencephalography (EEG), it may be possible to gain insight into the impact of the amount of practice and the organization of practice has on learning fine motor skills. This insight may provide direction as to how to better develop instructional and rehabilitation protocols in addition to clinical interventions to facilitate recovery of function, relearning and transfer of cognitive and fine motor skills based upon neural responses to physical practice.

Official Title
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Neural Mechanisms of the Contextual Interference Effect: A fNIRs and EEG Study

Conditions
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Healthy Individuals, Learning

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Practice Order


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 18 to 55 years of age vision correctable to 20/20 right-handed English is first language or learned English before age of 5 years Exclusion Criteria: 17 years or younger and 56 years or older pregnant have latex or tape adhesives allergies self-exclude if: had a history of seizures, head injury or neurological dysfunction history or diagnosis of depression, schizophrenia or social phobia previous admission to alcohol/drug treatment program or diagnosis of alcohol/drug abuse take medications know to affect neurological function.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Practice Schedules<br>Subjects are randomly assigned to either a blocked or random practice schedule when learning three 3-D computer mazes. A blocked practice schedule is created when the tasks to be learned are presented in a predictable order, while a random practice schedule has tasks presented in a nonsequential, unpredictable order. Neural activity and behavioral measures will differ for the two practice schedules. For memory and transfer, it is predicted that random practice will be better than blocked practice. | Behavioral: Practice Order<br>* Blocked order - predictable Random order - unpredictable<br>* Other names: Low contextual interference - blocked practice schedule;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| metabolic measures of neural activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex | Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIR) uses specific wavelets of light, that are introduced at the scalp to measure changes in the relative ratios of deoxygenated hemoglobin and oxygenated hemoglobin in the capillary beds during brain activity. | outcomes measured 72 - 96 hours post-training | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Behavioral measures | maze behavioral responses of time to traverse the maze (sec), distance traveled (pixels)and average maze velocity (pixels/sec) are calculated. | measured 72-96 hours post training | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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repeated measures design, random assignment to groups