Dual-task influences on retrieval from semantic memory and coordination dynamics

Bimanual 1:1 rhythmic coordination was performed while retrieving words from a specified category. The effects of divided attention (DA) on coordination were indexed by changes in mean relative phase and recurrence measures of shared activity between the two limbs. Effects of DA on memory were indexed by deficits in exemplars retrieved relative to the baseline. Shifts in relative phase were found, accompanied by a recall deficit for DA during the retrieval task. DA also reduced the degree of shared activity between left and right rhythmic motions. Our discussion focuses on DA-induced parameter changes in retrieval and coordination dynamics, as well as on the hypothesis that stability is the general factor mediating dual-task performance.