Consolidation of Complex Motor Skill Learning

Objectives: following initial motor acquisition, memories stabilize and become resistance to disturbances through consolidation processes, requiring a post-acquisition temporal interval to allow their occurrence. Previous studies of skill learning have focused on simple motor tasks. In the present study, we tested consolidation in complex motor skill, requiring fine-motor movements that are more relevant to dental students. We hypothesized that consolidation in a complex motor skills will be evident immediately following sleep, as in simple motor skills

Methods: thirty one subjects (mean age 23.5±3.85) from the general population were divided into three experimental groups and were trained complex motor skill (insert small pins into specific drills in 2 teeth placed in the lower jaw) by a portable phantom head simulator 5 times and then tested. The groups differ between the time of training and the following retest schedule: GR-A: T1 at 10:00, then retest at 14:00, 18:00 and 22:00. GR-B: T1 at 10:00 then retest at 22:00 and 10:00 the next day. GR-C: T1 at 22:00 then retest at 10:00 (next day) and 22:00. Comparative analysis of experimental variable was carried out using ANOVA and paired t tests
Results: we verified that without a temporal interval longer than 12 hours, the skill training doesn’t undergo complete consolidation. Consolidation was evident only 24 hours following skill acquisition, and not following a shorter 12 hours interval, even when the latter included sleep

Conclusions: Complex skill consolidation required a delayed 24 hours post-acquisition phase, and was not evident following shorter intervals, even if they included sleep. This is relevant to the educational process of dental students who are confront with the requirements of high motor skills for performing tasks