Reducing Proactive Interference in Motor Tasks

Abstract

Changing automatized movement patterns often leads to initial performance decrements caused by proactive interference. In this study, we scrutinized whether proactive interference could be reduced by inhibiting the to-be-changed movement pattern by means of a physical movement constraint and verbal inhibition instructions, and whether any of the two interventions may be superior. Skilled typists typed short texts as fast and accurately as possible on a regular QWERTZ keyboard. After baseline measures, a new rule prohibiting the use of the left index finger was introduced. Subsequently, participants took part in either a verbal instruction or an additional motor restriction intervention phase. Results revealed that the original rule change was successful in inducing proactive interference in skilled typists. Most importantly, the two interventions similarly reduced proactive interference both immediately following the rule change and after ten practice sessions. We conclude that reducing proactive interference by means of physical motor restrictions and verbal instructions may be equally effective.

Keywords:

• action constraints
• inhibition
• movement patterns
• proactive interference
• skill change

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Tom Schleicher for his support in programing the python software for the experiment, and two anonymous reviewers for their very helpful and constructive comments.

Notes

1 Please note that, in our view, the most valid assessment of the effectiveness of the interventions results from evaluating the change from Rule Change to Transfer (and not Post). The reason for this is that for the VI group the Post-Test contains actually the same task as in the previous practice blocks (same condition and text), and hence profits a lot from familiarization with the text-specific finger movement sequence. Yet, this is not the case for the AMR group as they practiced with a motor restriction which is now (i.e., in the Post-Test) removed. However, in the Transfer Test both groups are confronted with a new text and which requires novel finger movement sequences.