Improved Visual Cognition through Stroboscopic Training

Abstract

Humans have a remarkable capacity to learn and adapt, but surprisingly little research has demonstrated generalized learning in which new skills and strategies can be used flexibly across a range of tasks and contexts. In the present work we examined whether generalized learning could result from visual-motor training under stroboscopic visual conditions. Individuals were assigned to either an experimental condition that trained with stroboscopic eyewear or to a control condition that underwent identical training with non-stroboscopic eyewear. The training consisted of multiple sessions of athletic activities during which participants performed simple drills such as throwing and catching. To determine if training led to generalized benefits, we used computerized measures to assess perceptual and cognitive abilities on a variety of tasks before and after training. Computer-based assessments included measures of visual sensitivity (central and peripheral motion coherence thresholds), transient spatial attention (a useful field of view - dual task paradigm), and sustained attention (multiple-object tracking). Results revealed that stroboscopic training led to significantly greater re-test improvement in central visual field motion sensitivity and transient attention abilities. No training benefits were observed for peripheral motion sensitivity or peripheral transient attention abilities, nor were benefits seen for sustained attention during multiple-object tracking. These findings suggest that stroboscopic training can effectively improve some, but not all aspects of visual perception and attention.

Keywords: generalized learning; plasticity; stroboscopic training; visual cognition; visual–motor control.

Figure 1

Motion coherence task and results. Schematic illustration depicting (A) the relative size and position of the dot stimulus, and (B) the two-interval forced-choice procedure. Pre- to post-test motion coherence thresholds improved more for the Strobe (blue) than the Control (red) participants for the central task (C) but not for the peripheral task (D). These data are collapsed over the non-significant factor “Cohort.”

Figure 2

Useful field of view – dual-target task and results. (A) Stimulus schematic depicting the target array, the central letter task and peripheral flash detection task, and the mask. (B) Pre-test (solid) to post-test (dashed) differences were equivalent for the Strobe (blue) and Control (red) participants across the three eccentricities. (C) Central task performance showed a significant re-test improvement for the Strobe participants as compared to the Control participants.

Figure 3

Multiple-object tracking task and results. (A) Stimulus schematic showing the five blinking dots to indicate the set of objects to be tracked, the initiation of their movement, and the probe item illuminated in yellow. Participants’ task was to report if the yellow probe was among the set of objects to be tracked. (B) Strobe and (C) Control accuracy is shown as a function of the number of items tracked for the pre-test (solid) and post-test (dashed). No differences between pre- and post-test accuracy were observed for either training condition.