Implicit motor learning and movement automaticity in people with stroke

Many stroke patients experience difficulty with performing dual-tasks. This severely impacts their (safety of) mobility. A promising intervention to target this issue is implicit motor learning, as it should enhance patients’ automaticity of movement. This project aims to comprehensively investigate the potential of implicit motor learning to improve dual-tasking after stroke. First, we critically evaluate the current evidence regarding the effectiveness of implicit motor learning interventions in stroke patients. Second, using observational studies we determine how patients and therapists use explicit and implicit strategies during stroke rehabilitation. Third, effect studies are performed to investigate the actual effects of implicit learning on dual-tasking in people with stroke. Combined, these subprojects provide a thorough overview of the effectiveness of this novel motor learning intervention in stroke patients.