THE EFFECT OF ADDED-PURPOSE AND MEANINGFUL OCCUPATION ON MOTOR LEARNING

Objective. Numerous studies in the occupational therapy literature hav e investigated the effects of added-purpose (multidimensional, goal-or iented) occupation on performance. Motor learning research has demonst rated that factors that enhance performance measures do not necessaril y enhance motor learning This study examined the effects of both added -purpose and meaningful occupation on motor learning. Method. Twenty s ubjects (university students) were randomly assigned to either an adde d-purpose or rote exercise condition. After a skill acquisition phase, retention and transfer scores were obtained and subjects were asked t o rate the meaningfulness of the occupation on a visual analog settle. Results. A two-way analysis of variance indicated that only the added -purpose occupation resulted in significantly greater motor learning. Additionally, the added purpose scares were not influenced by the leve l of meaning assigned to the occupation. Conclusion. This study is the first to demonstrate how added-purpose ran enhance a more permanent a spect of performance: motor learning. Further research is necessary to determine whether occupations that both are meaningful and have added -purpose are the mast effective in enhancing motor learning.