Michael Petrovski¹ (), Susu Beheiry², Danna Robayo³, Udichi Das⁴, Royze Simon⁵, Joseph Desouza⁶; ¹York University

Motor sequence learning involves the coordination of both oculomotor and manual motor systems through the practiced repetition of a fixed sequence of actions, resulting in automatized execution of movement through habit learning. This study aims to develop a new visual-motor-based learning paradigm with music, potentially promoting neuroplasticity and creating new interventional tools as rehabilitation using dance in people with Parkinson’s disease shows behavioural and putative neural changes. Eye movements of 10 participants (8 female, 2 male) were tracked using the Eyelink 1000 Plus system during a 68-second eye-dance sequence. The experiment consisted of a learning phase and a performance phase, with music incorporated into both the phases to aid memorization of 4 spatial locations. After each performance, the participant was shown a visual reinforcer and asked for their thoughts on how well they executed the dance. Participants were scored based on timing of the steps as well for exact (1.00), good (0.66), ok (0.33) or missed (0) steps. Data was analyzed using R4.3.1, MATLAB, and Experiment Builder: Data Viewer software. Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed significant main effects of session on both performance accuracy ( F(4, 36) = 6.99, p < 0.001, η²G = 0.26), and timing precision (F(4, 36) = 11.67, p < 0.001, η²G = 0.25), suggesting a defined learning curve and consolidation of performance pattern and increase in precision with repeated practice. These findings suggest that visual-motor-based interventions have the potential to enhance motor and neurocognitive functions in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s Disorder (PD). The results provide a foundation for developing targeted therapies that integrate learning paradigms to improve functional outcomes, warranting further exploration of their long-term efficacy in clinical settings.