TRAINING OF VOLUNTARY TORSION

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 17  (4) , 303-314
Abstract
By a visual feedback technique, human subjects were trained to make large conjugate cyclorotary eye movements at will. The range of movement increased with training at a rate of approximately 0.8.degree./h of practice, reaching 30.degree. at the end of training. Photographs recorded the ability to make voluntary cyclofixations at any amplitude within the subject''s range. Cyclotorsional pursuit was also trained, with ability increasing with greater amounts of visual feedback. Torsional saccadic tracking was trained, showing a magnitude vs. peak velocity relationship similar to that seen for normal saccades. Control experiments indicated that all of these movements were voluntary, with no significant visual induction. With extended practice, large torsional movements could be made without any visual stimulation. The emergence of voluntary torsion through training demonstrated that the oculomotor system has more plasticity than generally assumed, reopening the issue as to whether other movements could also be trained to alleviate the symptoms of strabismus.

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