Abstract
A distinct learning advantage has been shown when participants control their knowledge-of-results (KR) scheduling during practice compared to when the same KR schedule is imposed on the learner without choice (i.e., yoked). Although this learning advantage is well-documented, the brain regions contributing to these advantages remain unknown. Using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which can increase (anodal) or decrease (cathodal) cortical excitability and thus modulate subsequent behaviour, we investigated whether increased primary motor cortex excitability mediates the learning advantages of self-controlled KR schedules. Participants practiced a waveform matching task in one of four groups using a factorial combination of choice (Self-Controlled versus Yoked) and tDCS (Anodal versus Sham). Testing occurred on two consecutive days with spatial and temporal accuracy measured on both days. Learning was assessed using 24-hour retention tests with and without KR, as well as a no-KR transfer test. All groups improved their performance across practice blocks; however, no significant group differences were found on either retention test (p's > .05). Greater temporal accuracy was found for the self-controlled groups compared to the yoked-KR groups on the transfer test (p = .001, ?2p = .26); thus, practicing with a self-controlled KR schedule, independent of tDCS, resulted in an enhanced ability to generalize one's learning to novel temporal demands. Although a trend for greater temporal accuracy in transfer was noted for those receiving anodal-tDCS relative to sham-tDCS (p = .24), this lack of a significant effect for tDCS suggests that primary motor cortex may not be strongly implicated in self-controlled KR learning benefits.Acknowledgments: Supported by NSERC