Cognitive and neurophysiological aspects of motor sequence learning

Background

In recent decades, music-based interventions have attracted considerable attention as they have shown the potential to improve cognitive and functional abilities. This is particularly evident in the developmental stages of children, but also in the effectiveness of such interventions in promoting healthy ageing. Despite these findings, due to the diverse and often small study designs and samples, there are as yet few explanations for the underlying mechanisms of action of music-based interventions.

Goals

The focus of this project is instrumental playing, in particular piano playing, as it promotes and demands motor skills. The aim is to investigate the different phases of the motor learning process and to formulate a comprehensive motor learning theory. This theory should take into account both the neurophysiological and cognitive aspects of the different learning stages. A potential outcome of this work could be the development of individualized music teaching methods aimed at maximizing the effectiveness of instrumental instruction in promoting healthy aging, supporting motor rehabilitation and improving cognitive function.

Experiments

In a first experiment, the cognitive aspects of motor learning are examined using people with minimal piano experience. The participants learn a piano sequence and a non-piano sequence over 20 runs of 20 seconds each. The number of correctly pressed keys is correlated with a series of cognitive tests. In the second experiment, the neurophysiological aspects of motor learning in highly qualified piano students at HMTM Hannover will be investigated by additionally measuring brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG) during the sequence learning units. Finally, a third randomized controlled study will investigate how the findings from the first two experiments can be integrated into a preventive concept for instrumental lessons as an intervention for older people at risk.

Researchers involved

  • Hannah Losch
  • Florian Worschech
  • Fabian Sternkopf

Publications

 

Last modified: 2024-08-21

To top