Abstract
Objective
To systematically review and quantitatively synthesize the existing evidence of motor
learning in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).
Data Sources
PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Web of Science
were searched using the following terms: multiple sclerosis, task learning, motor
learning, skill learning, performance learning.
Study Selection
Studies had to include PwMS with a main outcome being motor learning, be published
in peer-reviewed journals, and be written in English. The search yielded 68 results,
and the inclusion criteria were met by 17 studies.
Data Extraction
Basic descriptors of each study, study protocol, and motor learning measures were
extracted. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation
approach revealed the quality of evidence was low with a high risk of bias. Meta-analysis
was conducted to determine the difference in implicit and explicit learning in PwMS
and controls without multiple sclerosis.
Data Synthesis
Studies scored on average 15.9 of 18 for quality assessment. PwMS were able to learn
functional mobility and upper limb manipulation motor skills as indicated by short-term
acquisition, transfer, and retention. Implicit learning conditions from the meta-analysis
showed that PwMS were able to learn at a similar rate to controls without multiple
sclerosis (P<.001), yet explicit learning conditions did not display a significant rate of learning
(P=.133).
Conclusions
While this review indicated that PwMS are capable of motor learning, several knowledge
gaps still exist. Future research should focus on using higher-quality evidence to
understand motor learning in PwMS and translate the findings to rehabilitation and
activities of daily living.
Keywords
List of abbreviations:
GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation), MS (multiple sclerosis), PwMS (persons with multiple sclerosis)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 24, 2019
Footnotes
Disclosures: none.
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
