Musical training, cognitive reserve, and their effects on procedural learning ability

Previous research has demonstrated that musicians have a higher level of motor skills and motor learning abilities than people without musical training. In addition, cognitive reserve has proven to influence several cognitive functions and to prevent age-related cognitive decline. However, little research has been done in relation to the effect these variables have on procedural learning ability in an untrained motor task in older adults. This could contribute to explore which of these predictors, whose beneficial effects have been extensively studied in relation to several other variables, is more relevant for predicting procedural learning ability specifically, with implications in movement rehabilitation. In the current study, the level of musical training and cognitive reserve, controlling for age, was expected to predict procedural learning ability in a new complex motor task. Additionally, the level of musical training was hypothesized to be more predictive than cognitive...Show morePrevious research has demonstrated that musicians have a higher level of motor skills and motor learning abilities than people without musical training. In addition, cognitive reserve has proven to influence several cognitive functions and to prevent age-related cognitive decline. However, little research has been done in relation to the effect these variables have on procedural learning ability in an untrained motor task in older adults. This could contribute to explore which of these predictors, whose beneficial effects have been extensively studied in relation to several other variables, is more relevant for predicting procedural learning ability specifically, with implications in movement rehabilitation. In the current study, the level of musical training and cognitive reserve, controlling for age, was expected to predict procedural learning ability in a new complex motor task. Additionally, the level of musical training was hypothesized to be more predictive than cognitive reserve in the outcome procedural learning ability. To test these hypotheses, a within-subjects experimental design was used where N = 16 participants performed a computerized pursuit-rotor task and a serial reaction time task, in addition to answering various questionnaires that measured their level of musical training and cognitive reserve. Furthermore, a multiple linear regression model was conducted. The results indicate that the level of musical training and cognitive reserve, controlling for age, did not significantly predict procedural learning ability. Possible explanations for the current lack of significant findings may relate to the small sample size included in the study and its low heterogeneity, as well as to the design of the experiment in relation to the self-reported measures that were included, and the difficulty of the pursuit-rotor task. Thus, future research should replicate this study including more heterogeneous and larger samples, as well as by overcoming the mentioned limitations, and by following the proposed suggestions for further research. Finally, if musical training proves to be a relevant predictor of procedural learning ability, it could have implications for triage in movement rehabilitation in health settings and for healthy lifestyles recommended to the population.Show less

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Musical training, cognitive reserve, and their effects on procedural learning ability