Figure 1

Working memory and loop drawing performance during single and dual task conditions. (A) The percent accuracy of letter spans recalled in sequence are reported across trials of increasing letter spans of 3–8 letters. Recall accuracy for letters decreased as the size of letter spans increased, especially in the dual task condition when working memory was performed in conjunction with a motor task. In the single task condition, the HIV + /POLY + group (purple) performed with less accuracy than did the HIV + /POLY- group (blue). (B) The number of loops is reported across each 5-s trial. Loop drawing frequency increased across trials, with most gains occurring in the single task condition. In the dual task condition, loop drawing was done in conjunction with a working memory task that increased cognitive load across trials. The HIV-/POLY- group (red) improved motor learning more than any other group did, suggesting that HIV and substance use history impacted performance. However, when HIV and POLY groups were examined collectively, the HIV + groups (blue plus purple) showed impaired motor learning, whereas the POLY + groups (green plus purple) did not. (Trials 9–12 of the dual task were not included in omnibus analysis). Bars denote one standard error.