Imagined and actual limb selection: A test of preference

Citation
C. Gabbard et C. Rabb, Imagined and actual limb selection: A test of preference, BRAIN COGN, 46(1-2), 2001, pp. 139-144
Citations number
12
Categorie Soggetti
Psycology,"Neurosciences & Behavoir
Journal title
BRAIN AND COGNITION
ISSN journal
02782626 → ACNP
Volume
46
Issue
1-2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
139 - 144
Database
ISI
SICI code
0278-2626(200106/07)46:1-2<139:IAALSA>2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
Imagined and actual motor performance were compared to determine what facto r(s) drive limb selection for programming movements in contralateral hemisp ace. Forty right-handed blindfolded subjects were asked to 'reach' via audi tory stimulus for a small object placed at multiple locations in hemispace. Two conditions were included: arms uncrossed and arms crossed. With the un crossed condition, responses were similar. with arms crossed, subjects had the choice of keeping the limbs, crossed, reacting to proximity, or uncross ing the arms to reach ipsilaterally. In this condition subjects 'imagined' that they would maintain the crossed position and reach with the hand close st to the stimulus in both right and left hemispace. However, during 'actua l' reaching, responses differed. For left held stimuli, participants kept t he arms crossed, but in response to right-field stimuli, subjects preferred to uncross the limbs in order to reach with the dominant hand. These findi ngs suggest that while motor dominance is the primary factor in limb choice fur action in ipsilateral hemispace, it appears that object proximity driv es limb selection for reaching in contralateral hemispace. (C) 2001 Academi c Press.