Bimanual coordination training
Bimanual coordination training has been studied in 3 papers since 2017: 2 trials and 1 observational study in people. The newest paper, Apr 6, 2023: “Does bimanual coordination training benefit inhibitory function in older adults?”.
3 papers study it5 findingsUpdated
“brain activity related to task planning and execution decreased from pretest to posttest in temporo-parieto-frontal areas and subcortical areas in both age groups”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 2 independent labs in 2 countries
- Human trial2
- Humans1
Studies in people
2 studies gave bimanual coordination training to people and measured what changed.
up: Improves inhibitory function
up: Increases spontaneous transition frequency
down: Decreases total switching time1,505 ± 664.66 ms > 1,181 ± 530.79 and 1,151 ±474.27 ms
Trial17 people6 women and 11 menmean age 72.18 ± 4.043 weeks
Frontiers in aging neuroscience, Apr 6, 2023
down: Decreases task-related brain activation
Trial25 peopleMean ages 21.5 and 68.6 years2 weeks
Older adults; Pretest-to-posttest comparison in both age groups
Neurobiology of aging, Jun 19, 2017
What did studies of Bimanual coordination training find?
5Studies of Bimanual coordination training measured 5 outcomes; the most studied are Motor inhibition interference score (1 study), Total switching time (1) and Spontaneous transition frequency (1).
Motor inhibition interference score
downin humans1
1 study
Motor inhibition interference score
downin humans1
Bimanual coordination training decreases motor inhibition interference score in humans (145 ms and 86 ms).
“For the MAPIT, the analysis revealed an effect of time on MI score [F(2, 30) = 3.56, p < 0.05], which improved between the pre-test and the retention test (145 ms and 86 ms, respectively).”
Human trial3 weeksn = 17
Does bimanual coordination training benefit inhibitory function in older adults?
Frontiers in aging neuroscience
Total switching time
downin humans1
1 study
Total switching time
downin humans1
Bimanual coordination training decreases total switching time in humans (1,505 ± 664.66 ms > 1,181 ± 530.79 and 1,151 ±474.27 ms).
“Moreover, the post hoc analysis carried out on testing sessions revealed that independently of the switching direction, the TST observed in the pre-test was significantly longer than in the post-test and retention [1,505 ± 664.66 ms > 1,181 ± 530.79 and 1,151 ±474.27 ms; p < 0.001”
Human trial3 weeksn = 17
Does bimanual coordination training benefit inhibitory function in older adults?
Frontiers in aging neuroscience
Spontaneous transition frequency
upin humans1
1 study
Spontaneous transition frequency
upin humans1
Bimanual coordination training increases spontaneous transition frequency in humans.
“In other words, transition frequency was significantly delayed after bimanual coordination training.”
Human trial3 weeksn = 17
Does bimanual coordination training benefit inhibitory function in older adults?
Frontiers in aging neuroscience
Inhibitory function
upin humans1
1 study
Inhibitory function
upin humans1
Bimanual coordination training improves inhibitory function in humans.
“Moreover, response times were shorter in the both the post-test and the retention test than in the pre-test (p < 0.05).”
Human trial3 weeksn = 17
Does bimanual coordination training benefit inhibitory function in older adults?
Frontiers in aging neuroscience
Task-related brain activation
downin humans1
1 study
Task-related brain activation
downin humans1
Bimanual coordination training decreases task-related brain activation in humans.
“brain activity related to task planning and execution decreased from pretest to posttest in temporo-parieto-frontal areas and subcortical areas in both age groups”
Human trialPretest-to-posttest comparison in both age groupsTemporo-parieto-frontal and subcortical regions2 weeks
Neurobiology of aging