Enhancing Motor Learning in People With Stroke Via Memory Reactivation During Sleep

Impact and Implications We believe this to be the first known study to use targeted memory reactivation to enhance motor learning in individuals with a history of stroke. These results lay the groundwork for future studies to investigate the use of targeted memory reactivation as a means to augment motor learning and enhance paretic upper extremity function with individuals with a history of stroke. Purpose: Investigate the use of repetitive delivery of task-related auditory cues, known as targeted memory reactivation (TMR), throughout a 1-hour daytime nap to enhance motor learning in individuals with chronic stroke. Research Method: Participants with a history of stroke at least 6 months prior were recruited to perform a novel overhand throwing task to randomly appearing target locations using the nonparetic upper extremity immediately before and after a 1-hour daytime nap. Half of the participants received TMR during the nap. Results: Participants who received TMR demonstrated a greater overall reduction in absolute and variable spatial errors relative to the NoTMR control group. Both groups demonstrated similar generalization of skill to 2 untrained variants of the trained task, but not to a novel untrained task. Conclusions: This study suggests that TMR may enhance motor learning after stroke. Future studies should investigate whether TMR can lead to improvements of the paretic upper extremity during clinically based rehabilitation interventions.