Asymmetries between dominant and non-dominant hands in real and imagined motor task performance

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Asymmetries between dominant and non-dominant hands in real and imagined motor task performance

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/210423

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Title: Asymmetries between dominant and non-dominant hands in real and imagined motor task performance
Author(s): Maruff, P.; Wilson, P. H.; De Fazio, J.; Cerritelli, B.; Hedt, A.; Currie, J.
Abstract: Motor imagery is a dynamic state in which an individual mentally simulates the performance of a specific motor action or motor task. Recent behavioural and neuroimaging evidence suggests that the same neurocognitive networks control real and imagined movements. This hypothesis was tested by investigating whether motor asymmetries related to cerebral dominance also occurred for imagined movements. Fifty subjects performed the visually guided pointing task of Sirigu et al. [Sirigu, A., Duhamel, J., Cohen, L., Pillon, B., Dubois, B. and Agid, Y., The mental representation of hand movements after parietal cortex damage. Science, 1996, 273, 1564-1567.] using their dominant and non-dominant hands. Analysis of group data indicated that both real and imagined movement conformed to Fitts' law. Analysis of individual data indicated that asymmetries arising from motor dominance in real movements also occurred for imagined movements. However, the relative slowing and error associated with the non-dominant hand was greater for imagined movements than for real movements. These asymmetries support the hypothesis that real and imagined movements are represented within the same neurocognitive networks but suggest that asymmetries in performance related to handedness are greater for imagined movements. In addition, while the visually guided pointing task provides a useful test of the ability to make imagined movements, asymmetries in the speed and reliability of imagined performance are significantly greater than those for real performance.
Publication type: Journal article
Research centre: Swinburne University of Technology
Source: Neuropsychologia, Vol. 37, no. 3 (Mar 1999), pp. 379-384
Publication year: 1999
FOR Code(s): 1109 Neurosciences; 1701 Psychology; 1702 Cognitive Sciences
Keyword(s): Imagery; Laterality; Motor performance; Motor skills
Publisher: Pergamon
ISSN: 0028-3932
Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0028-3932(98)00064-5
Peer reviewed