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Connelly N, Welsby E, Lange B, Hordacre B. Virtual Reality Action Observation and Motor Imagery to Enhance Neuroplastic Capacity in the Human Motor Cortex: A Pilot Double-blind, Randomized Cross-over Trial. Neuroscience 2024; 549:92-100. [PMID: 38705350 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Neuroplasticity is important for learning, development and recovery from injury. Therapies that can upregulate neuroplasticity are therefore of interest across a range of fields. We developed a novel virtual reality action observation and motor imagery (VR-AOMI) intervention and evaluated whether it could enhance the efficacy of mechanisms of neuroplasticity in the human motor cortex of healthy adults. A secondary question was to explore predictors of the change in neuroplasticity following VR-AOMI. A pre-registered, pilot randomized controlled cross-over trial was performed. Twenty right-handed adults (13 females; mean age: 23.0 ± 4.53 years) completed two experimental conditions in separate sessions; VR-AOMI and control. We used intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) to induce long term potentiation-like plasticity in the motor cortex and recorded motor evoked potentials at multiple timepoints as a measure of corticospinal excitability. The VR-AOMI task did not significantly increase the change in MEP amplitude following iTBS when compared to the control task (Group × Timepoint interaction p = 0.17). However, regression analysis identified the change in iTBS response following VR-AOMI was significantly predicted by the baseline iTBS response in the control task. Specifically, participants that did not exhibit the expected increase in MEP amplitude following iTBS in the control condition appear to have greater excitability following iTBS in the VR-AOMI condition (r = -0.72, p < 0.001). Engaging in VR-AOMI might enhance capacity for neuroplasticity in some people who typically do not respond to iTBS. VR-AOMI may prime the brain for enhanced neuroplasticity in this sub-group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh Connelly
- Innovation, Implementation and Clinical Translation (IIMPACT) in Health, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Ellana Welsby
- Innovation, Implementation and Clinical Translation (IIMPACT) in Health, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Belinda Lange
- Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Brenton Hordacre
- Innovation, Implementation and Clinical Translation (IIMPACT) in Health, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
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Moreno-Verdú M, Hamoline G, Van Caenegem EE, Waltzing BM, Forest S, Valappil AC, Khan AH, Chye S, Esselaar M, Campbell MJ, McAllister CJ, Kraeutner SN, Poliakoff E, Frank C, Eaves DL, Wakefield C, Boe SG, Holmes PS, Bruton AM, Vogt S, Wright DJ, Hardwick RM. Guidelines for reporting action simulation studies (GRASS): Proposals to improve reporting of research in motor imagery and action observation. Neuropsychologia 2024; 192:108733. [PMID: 37956956 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Researchers from multiple disciplines have studied the simulation of actions through motor imagery, action observation, or their combination. Procedures used in these studies vary considerably between research groups, and no standardized approach to reporting experimental protocols has been proposed. This has led to under-reporting of critical details, impairing the assessment, replication, synthesis, and potential clinical translation of effects. We provide an overview of issues related to the reporting of information in action simulation studies, and discuss the benefits of standardized reporting. We propose a series of checklists that identify key details of research protocols to include when reporting action simulation studies. Each checklist comprises A) essential methodological details, B) essential details that are relevant to a specific mode of action simulation, and C) further points that may be useful on a case-by-case basis. We anticipate that the use of these guidelines will improve the understanding, reproduction, and synthesis of studies using action simulation, and enhance the translation of research using motor imagery and action observation to applied and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Moreno-Verdú
- Brain, Action, And Skill Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience (Cognition and Systems Division), UC Louvain, Belgium; Department of Radiology, Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
| | - Gautier Hamoline
- Brain, Action, And Skill Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience (Cognition and Systems Division), UC Louvain, Belgium
| | - Elise E Van Caenegem
- Brain, Action, And Skill Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience (Cognition and Systems Division), UC Louvain, Belgium
| | - Baptiste M Waltzing
- Brain, Action, And Skill Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience (Cognition and Systems Division), UC Louvain, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Forest
- Brain, Action, And Skill Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience (Cognition and Systems Division), UC Louvain, Belgium
| | - Ashika C Valappil
- Simulating Movements to Improve Learning and Execution (SMILE) Research Group, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Roehampton, UK
| | - Adam H Khan
- Simulating Movements to Improve Learning and Execution (SMILE) Research Group, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Roehampton, UK
| | - Samantha Chye
- Simulating Movements to Improve Learning and Execution (SMILE) Research Group, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Roehampton, UK
| | - Maaike Esselaar
- Research Centre for Musculoskeletal Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
| | - Mark J Campbell
- Lero Esports Science Research Lab, Physical Education & Sport Sciences Department & Lero the Science Foundation Ireland Centre for Software Research, University of Limerick, Ireland
| | - Craig J McAllister
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Sarah N Kraeutner
- Neuroplasticity, Imagery, And Motor Behaviour Laboratory, Department of Psychology & Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Canada
| | - Ellen Poliakoff
- Body Eyes and Movement (BEAM) Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Cornelia Frank
- Cognition, Imagery and Learning in Action Laboratory, Department of Sports and Movement Science, School of Educational and Cultural Studies, Osnabrueck University, Germany
| | - Daniel L Eaves
- Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, UK
| | | | - Shaun G Boe
- Laboratory for Brain Recovery and Function, School of Physiotherapy and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Canada
| | - Paul S Holmes
- Research Centre for Health, Psychology and Communities, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
| | - Adam M Bruton
- Simulating Movements to Improve Learning and Execution (SMILE) Research Group, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Roehampton, UK; : Centre for Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, UK
| | - Stefan Vogt
- Perception and Action Group, Department of Psychology, Lancaster University, UK
| | - David J Wright
- Research Centre for Health, Psychology and Communities, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
| | - Robert M Hardwick
- Brain, Action, And Skill Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience (Cognition and Systems Division), UC Louvain, Belgium.
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Sarasso E, Gardoni A, Zenere L, Canu E, Basaia S, Pelosin E, Volontè MA, Filippi M, Agosta F. Action observation and motor imagery improve motor imagery abilities in patients with Parkinson's disease - A functional MRI study. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2023; 116:105858. [PMID: 37774517 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2023.105858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Motor imagery (MI) skills can be affected in Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed at assessing MI and brain functional changes after action observation and MI training (AOT-MI) associated with gait/balance exercises in PD patients with postural instability and gait disorders (PD-PIGD). METHODS Twenty-five PD-PIGD patients were randomized into two groups: DUAL-TASK + AOT-MI group performed 6-week gait/balance training combined with AOT-MI; DUAL-TASK group performed the same exercises without AOT-MI. Before and after training, MI was assessed using Kinesthetic-and-Visual-Imagery Questionnaire (KVIQ) and a MI functional MRI (fMRI) task. During fMRI, subjects were asked to watch first-person perspective videos representing gait/balance tasks and mentally simulate their execution. At baseline patients were compared with 23 healthy controls. RESULTS PD groups did not differ in the MI scores. Both patient groups increased kinesthetic KVIQ score after training, while only DUAL-TASK + AOT-MI group improved visual and total KVIQ scores. At baseline, both PD groups showed reduced fMRI activity of sensorimotor, temporal and cerebellar areas relative to controls. After training, DUAL-TASK + AOT-MI patients increased activity of anterior cingulate, fronto-temporal and motor cerebellar areas, and reduced the recruitment of cognitive cerebellar regions. DUAL-TASK group showed increased recruitment of occipito-temporal areas and reduced activity of cerebellum crus-I. DUAL-TASK + AOT-MI relative to DUAL-TASK group had increased activity of cerebellum VIII-IX. In DUAL-TASK + AOT-MI group, KVIQ improvement correlated with increased activity of cerebellum IX and anterior cingulate, and with reduced activity of crus-I. CONCLUSIONS AOT-MI improves MI abilities in PD-PIGD patients, promoting the functional plasticity of brain areas involved in MI processes and gait/balance control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Sarasso
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Gardoni
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Zenere
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Canu
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Basaia
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Pelosin
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Filippi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Neurophysiology Service, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Agosta
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
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Bek J, Gowen E, Vogt S, Crawford TJ, Poliakoff E. Observation and imitation of object-directed hand movements in Parkinson's disease. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18749. [PMID: 37907532 PMCID: PMC10618260 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42705-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Action observation and imitation may facilitate movement in Parkinson's disease (PD). People with PD have been found to imitate intransitive actions similarly to neurologically healthy older adults, but their imitation of object-directed hand movements has not previously been investigated using kinematic measures. The present study examined observation and imitation of object-directed hand movements in 18 participants with PD and 21 neurologically healthy age-matched control participants. Participants observed and immediately imitated sequences showing a human hand reaching for and transferring an object between horizontal positions. Both groups significantly modulated their finger movements, showing higher vertical amplitude when imitating elevated compared to direct trajectories. In addition, movements were lower in vertical amplitude and higher in velocity when imitating the reaching segment than the transfer segment. Eye-tracking revealed that controls made smaller saccades when observing predictable than unpredictable elevated movements, but no effects of predictability on eye movements were found for the PD group. This study provides quantitative evidence that people with mild to moderate PD can imitate object-directed hand movement kinematics, although their prediction of such movements may be reduced. These findings suggest that interventions targeting object-directed actions may capitalize on the ability of people with PD to imitate kinematic parameters of a demonstrated movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Bek
- School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- Centre for Motor Control, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
- Division of Psychology Communication and Human Neuroscience, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Emma Gowen
- Division of Psychology Communication and Human Neuroscience, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Stefan Vogt
- Department of Psychology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | | | - Ellen Poliakoff
- Division of Psychology Communication and Human Neuroscience, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Binks JA, Wilson CJ, Van Schaik P, Eaves DL. Motor learning without physical practice: The effects of combined action observation and motor imagery practice on cup-stacking speed. PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE 2023; 68:102468. [PMID: 37665909 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
In this study we explored training effects for combined action observation and motor imagery (AO + MI) instructions on a complex cup-stacking task, without physical practice. Using a Graeco-Latin Square design, we randomly assigned twenty-six participants into four groups. This counterbalanced the within-participant factor of practice condition (AO + MI, AO, MI, Control) across four cup-stacking tasks, which varied in their complexity. On each of the three consecutive practice days participants experienced twenty trials under each of the three mental practice conditions. On each trial, a first-person perspective video depicted bilateral cup-stacking performed by an experienced model. During AO, participants passively observed this action, responding only to occasional colour cues. For AO + MI, participants imagined performing the observed action and synchronised their concurrent MI with the display. For MI, a sequence of pictures cued imagery of each stage of the task. Analyses revealed a significant main effect of practice condition both at the 'surprise' post-test (Day 3) and at the one-week retention test. At both time points movement execution times were significantly shorter for AO + MI compared with AO, MI and the Control. Execution times were also shorter overall at the retention compared with the post-test. These results demonstrate that a complex novel motor task can be acquired without physical training. Practitioners can therefore use AO + MI practice to supplement physical practice and optimise skill learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Binks
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK.
| | - C J Wilson
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - P Van Schaik
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - D L Eaves
- Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
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Binks JA, Emerson JR, Scott MW, Wilson C, van Schaik P, Eaves DL. Enhancing upper-limb neurorehabilitation in chronic stroke survivors using combined action observation and motor imagery therapy. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1097422. [PMID: 36937513 PMCID: PMC10017546 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1097422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction For people who have had a stroke, recovering upper-limb function is a barrier to independence. When movement is difficult, mental practice can be used to complement physical therapy. In this within-participants study we investigated the effects of combined action observation and motor imagery (AO + MI) therapy on upper-limb recovery in chronic stroke survivors. Methods A Graeco-Latin Square design was used to counterbalance four mental practice conditions (AO + MI, AO, MI, Control) across four cup-stacking tasks of increasing complexity. Once a week, for five consecutive weeks, participants (n = 10) performed 16 mental practice trials under each condition. Each trial displayed a 1st person perspective of a cup-stacking task performed by an experienced model. For AO, participants watched each video and responded to an occasional color cue. For MI, participants imagined the effort and sensation of performing the action; cued by a series of still-images. For combined AO + MI, participants observed a video of the action while they simultaneously imagined performing the same action in real-time. At three time points (baseline; post-test; two-week retention test) participants physically executed the three mentally practiced cup-stacking tasks, plus a fourth unpractised sequence (Control), as quickly and accurately as possible. Results Mean movement execution times were significantly reduced overall in the post-test and the retention test compared to baseline. At retention, movement execution times were significantly shorter for combined AO + MI compared to both MI and the Control. Individual participants reported clinically important changes in quality of life (Stroke Impact Scale) and positive qualitative experiences of AO + MI (social validation). Discussion These results indicate that when physical practice is unsuitable, combined AO + MI therapy could offer an effective adjunct for neurorehabilitation in chronic stroke survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Aaron Binks
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Reyes Emerson
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Allied Health Professions, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
| | | | - Christopher Wilson
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
| | - Paul van Schaik
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Lloyd Eaves
- Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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Temporiti F, Calcagno A, Coelli S, Marino G, Gatti R, Bianchi AM, Galli M. Early sleep after action observation and motor imagery training boosts improvements in manual dexterity. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2609. [PMID: 36788349 PMCID: PMC9929332 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29820-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The systematic observation and imagination of actions promotes acquisition of motor skills. Furthermore, studies demonstrated that early sleep after practice enhances motor learning through an offline stabilization process. Here, we investigated behavioral effects and neurodynamical correlates of early sleep after action observation and motor imagery training (AO + MI-training) on motor learning in terms of manual dexterity. Forty-five healthy participants were randomized into three groups receiving a 3 week intervention consisting of AO + MI-training immediately before sleeping or AO + MI-training at least 12 h before sleeping or a control stimulation. AO + MI-training implied the observation and motor imagery of transitive manual dexterity tasks, whereas the control stimulation consisted of landscape video-clips observation. Manual dexterity was assessed using functional tests, kinematic and neurophysiological outcomes before and after the training and at 1-month follow-up. AO + MI-training improved manual dexterity, but subjects performing AO + MI-training followed by early sleep had significantly larger improvements than those undergoing the same training at least 12 h before sleeping. Behavioral findings were supported by neurodynamical correlates during motor performance and additional sleep-dependent benefits were also detected at 1 month follow-up. These findings introduce a new approach to enhance the acquisition of new motor skills or facilitate recovery in patients with motor impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Temporiti
- Physiotherapy Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Electronic, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico Di Milano, Via Ponzio 34, Milan, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Calcagno
- Department of Electronic, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico Di Milano, Via Ponzio 34, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Coelli
- Department of Electronic, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico Di Milano, Via Ponzio 34, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgia Marino
- Physiotherapy Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Gatti
- Physiotherapy Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Bianchi
- Department of Electronic, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico Di Milano, Via Ponzio 34, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Galli
- Department of Electronic, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico Di Milano, Via Ponzio 34, Milan, Italy
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Motor Imagination of Lower Limb Movements at Different Frequencies. JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING 2022; 2021:4073739. [PMID: 34976324 PMCID: PMC8716247 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4073739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Motor imagination (MI) is the mental process of only imagining an action without an actual movement. Research on MI has made significant progress in feature information detection and machine learning decoding algorithms, but there are still problems, such as a low overall recognition rate and large differences in individual execution effects, which make the development of MI run into a bottleneck. Aiming at solving this bottleneck problem, the current study optimized the quality of the MI original signal by “enhancing the difficulty of imagination tasks,” conducted the qualitative and quantitative analyses of EEG rhythm characteristics, and used quantitative indicators, such as ERD mean value and recognition rate. Research on the comparative analysis of the lower limb MI of different tasks, namely, high-frequency motor imagination (HFMI) and low-frequency motor imagination (LFMI), was conducted. The results validate the following: the average ERD of HFMI (−1.827) is less than that of LFMI (−1.3487) in the alpha band, so did (−3.4756 < −2.2891) in the beta band. In the alpha and beta characteristic frequency bands, the average ERD of HFMI is smaller than that of LFMI, and the ERD values of the two are significantly different (p=0.0074 < 0.01; r = 0.945). The ERD intensity STD values of HFMI are less than those of LFMI. which suggests that the ERD intensity individual difference among the subjects is smaller in the HFMI mode than in the LFMI mode. The average recognition rate of HFMI is higher than that of LFMI (87.84% > 76.46%), and the recognition rate of the two modes is significantly different (p=0.0034 < 0.01; r = 0.429). In summary, this research optimizes the quality of MI brain signal sources by enhancing the difficulty of imagination tasks, achieving the purpose of improving the overall recognition rate of the lower limb MI of the participants and reducing the differences of individual execution effects and signal quality among the subjects.
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Kammler-Sucker KI, Loffler A, Kleinbohl D, Flor H. Exploring Virtual Doppelgangers as Movement Models to Enhance Voluntary Imitation. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2021; 29:2173-2182. [PMID: 34653005 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2021.3120795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Virtual Reality (VR) setups offer the possibility to investigate interactions between model and observer characteristics in imitation behavior, such as in the chameleon effect of automatic mimicry. We tested the hypothesis that perceived affiliative characteristics of a virtual model, such as similarity to the observer and likability, will facilitate observers' engagement in voluntary motor imitation. In a within-subjects design, participants were exposed to four virtual characters of different degrees of realism and observer similarity (avatar numbers AN=1-4), ranging from an abstract stickperson to a personalized doppelganger avatar designed from 3d scans of the observer. The characters performed different trunk movements and participants were asked to imitate these. We defined functional ranges of motion (ROM) for spinal extension (bending backward, BB), lateral flexion (bending sideward, BS) and rotation in the horizontal plane (RH) based on shoulder marker trajectories as behavioral indicators of imitation. Participants' ratings on avatar appearance, characteristics and embodiment/ enfacement were recorded in an Autonomous Avatar Questionnaire (AAQ), factorized into three sum scales based on our explorative analysis. Linear mixed effects models revealed that for lateral flexion (BS), a facilitating influence of avatar type on ROM was mediated by perceived identificatory avatar properties such as avatar likability, avatar-observer-similarity and other affiliative characteristics (AAQ1). This suggests that maximization of model-observer similarity with a virtual doppelganger may be useful in observational modeling and this could be used to modify maladaptive motor behaviors in patients with chronic back pain.
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Action Imagery and Observation in Neurorehabilitation for Parkinson's Disease (ACTION-PD): Development of a User-Informed Home Training Intervention to Improve Functional Hand Movements. PARKINSONS DISEASE 2021; 2021:4559519. [PMID: 34336183 PMCID: PMC8324342 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4559519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Background Parkinson's disease (PD) causes difficulties with hand movements, which few studies have addressed therapeutically. Training with action observation (AO) and motor imagery (MI) improves performance in healthy individuals, particularly when the techniques are applied simultaneously (AO + MI). Both AO and MI have shown promising effects in people with PD, but previous studies have only used these separately. Objective This article describes the development and pilot testing of an intervention combining AO + MI and physical practice to improve functional manual actions in people with PD. Methods The home-based intervention, delivered using a tablet computer app, was iteratively designed by an interdisciplinary team, including people with PD, and further developed through focus groups and initial field testing. Preliminary data on feasibility were obtained via a six-week pilot randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN 11184024) of 10 participants with mild to moderate PD (6 intervention; 4 treatment as usual). Usage and adherence data were recorded during training, and semistructured interviews were conducted with participants. Exploratory outcome measures included dexterity and timed action performance. Results Usage and qualitative data provided preliminary evidence of acceptability and usability. Exploratory outcomes also suggested that subjective and objective performance of manual actions should be tested in a larger trial. The importance of personalisation, choice, and motivation was highlighted, as well as the need to facilitate engagement in motor imagery. Conclusions The results indicate that a larger RCT is warranted, and the findings also have broader relevance for the feasibility and development of AO + MI interventions for PD and other conditions.
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Scott MW, Wood G, Holmes PS, Williams J, Marshall B, Wright DJ. Combined action observation and motor imagery: An intervention to combat the neural and behavioural deficits associated with developmental coordination disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:638-646. [PMID: 34022280 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Action observation (AO) and motor imagery (MI) have been used separately across different populations to alleviate movement impairment. Recently these two forms of covert motor simulation have been combined (combined action observation and motor imagery; AOMI), resulting in greater neurophysiological activity in the motor system, and more favourable behavioural outcomes when compared to independent AO and MI. This review aims to outline how some of the neural deficits associated with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are evident during AO and MI, and highlight how these motor simulation techniques have been used independently to improve motor skill learning in children in this population. The growing body of evidence indicating that AOMI is superior to the independent use of either AO and MI is then synthesised and discussed in the context of children with DCD. To conclude, recommendations to optimise the delivery of AOMI for children with DCD are provided and future avenues for research are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W Scott
- Research Centre for Health, Psychology and Communities, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK.
| | - Greg Wood
- Research Centre for Musculoskeletal Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Paul S Holmes
- Research Centre for Health, Psychology and Communities, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Jacqueline Williams
- Institute for Health and Sport, College of Sport and Exercise Science, Victoria University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ben Marshall
- Research Centre for Musculoskeletal Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - David J Wright
- Research Centre for Health, Psychology and Communities, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
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12
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Mouthon A, Ruffieux J, Taube W. Modulation of intracortical inhibition during physically performed and mentally simulated balance tasks. Eur J Appl Physiol 2021; 121:1379-1388. [PMID: 33606094 PMCID: PMC8064969 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-020-04577-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Action observation (AO) during motor imagery (MI), so-called AO + MI, has been proposed as a new form of non-physical training, but the neural mechanisms involved remains largely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to explore whether there were similarities in the modulation of short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) during execution and mental simulation of postural tasks, and if there was a difference in modulation of SICI between AO + MI and AO alone. Method 21 young adults (mean ± SD = 24 ± 6.3 years) were asked to either passively observe (AO) or imagine while observing (AO + MI) or physically perform a stable and an unstable standing task, while motor evoked potentials and SICI were assessed in the soleus muscle. Result SICI results showed a modulation by condition (F2,40 = 6.42, p = 0.009) with less SICI in the execution condition compared to the AO + MI (p = 0.009) and AO (p = 0.002) condition. Moreover, switching from the stable to the unstable stance condition reduced significantly SICI (F1,20 = 8.34, p = 0.009) during both, physically performed (− 38.5%; p = 0.03) and mentally simulated balance (− 10%, p < 0.001, AO + MI and AO taken together). Conclusion The data demonstrate that SICI is reduced when switching from a stable to a more unstable standing task during both real task execution and mental simulation. Therefore, our results strengthen and further support the existence of similarities between executed and mentally simulated actions by showing that not only corticospinal excitability is similarly modulated but also SICI. This proposes that the activity of the inhibitory cortical network during mental simulation of balance tasks resembles the one during physical postural task execution.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mouthon
- Faculty of Science and Medicine, Medicine Section, Department of Neurosciences and Movement Sciences, Movement and Sport Sciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
| | - J Ruffieux
- Faculty of Science and Medicine, Medicine Section, Department of Neurosciences and Movement Sciences, Movement and Sport Sciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - W Taube
- Faculty of Science and Medicine, Medicine Section, Department of Neurosciences and Movement Sciences, Movement and Sport Sciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
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13
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Bek J, Gowen E, Vogt S, Crawford TJ, Poliakoff E. Action observation and imitation in Parkinson's disease: The influence of biological and non-biological stimuli. Neuropsychologia 2020; 150:107690. [PMID: 33259870 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2020.107690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Action observation and imitation have been found to influence movement in people with Parkinson's disease (PD), but simple visual stimuli can also guide their movement. To investigate whether action observation may provide a more effective stimulus than other visual cues, the present study examined the effects of observing human pointing movements and simple visual stimuli on hand kinematics and eye movements in people with mild to moderate PD and age-matched controls. In Experiment 1, participants observed videos of movement sequences between horizontal positions, depicted by a simple cue with or without a moving human hand, then imitated the sequence either without further visual input (consecutive task) or while watching the video again (concurrent task). Modulation of movement duration, in accordance with changes in the observed stimulus, increased when the simple cue was accompanied by the hand and in the concurrent task, whereas modulation of horizontal amplitude was greater with the simple cue alone and in the consecutive task. Experiment 2 compared imitation of kinematically-matched dynamic biological (human hand) and non-biological (shape) stimuli, which moved with a high or low vertical trajectory. Both groups exhibited greater modulation for the hand than the shape, and differences in eye movements suggested closer tracking of the hand. Despite producing slower and smaller movements overall, the PD group showed a similar pattern of imitation to controls across tasks and conditions. The findings demonstrate that observing human action influences aspects of movement such as duration or trajectory more strongly than non-biological stimuli, particularly during concurrent imitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Bek
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, UK.
| | - Emma Gowen
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, UK.
| | - Stefan Vogt
- Department of Psychology, Lancaster University, UK.
| | | | - Ellen Poliakoff
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, UK.
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14
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Scott MW, Emerson JR, Dixon J, Tayler MA, Eaves DL. Motor imagery during action observation enhances imitation of everyday rhythmical actions in children with and without developmental coordination disorder. Hum Mov Sci 2020; 71:102620. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2020.102620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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15
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Vabalas A, Gowen E, Poliakoff E, Casson AJ. Applying Machine Learning to Kinematic and Eye Movement Features of a Movement Imitation Task to Predict Autism Diagnosis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8346. [PMID: 32433501 PMCID: PMC7239902 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65384-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism is a developmental condition currently identified by experts using observation, interview, and questionnaire techniques and primarily assessing social and communication deficits. Motor function and movement imitation are also altered in autism and can be measured more objectively. In this study, motion and eye tracking data from a movement imitation task were combined with supervised machine learning methods to classify 22 autistic and 22 non-autistic adults. The focus was on a reliable machine learning application. We have used nested validation to develop models and further tested the models with an independent data sample. Feature selection was aimed at selection stability to assure result interpretability. Our models predicted diagnosis with 73% accuracy from kinematic features, 70% accuracy from eye movement features and 78% accuracy from combined features. We further explored features which were most important for predictions to better understand movement imitation differences in autism. Consistent with the behavioural results, most discriminative features were from the experimental condition in which non-autistic individuals tended to successfully imitate unusual movement kinematics while autistic individuals tended to fail. Machine learning results show promise that future work could aid in the diagnosis process by providing quantitative tests to supplement current qualitative ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrius Vabalas
- The University of Manchester, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Manchester, United Kingdom.
| | - Emma Gowen
- The University of Manchester, School of Biological Sciences, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ellen Poliakoff
- The University of Manchester, School of Biological Sciences, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander J Casson
- The University of Manchester, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Manchester, United Kingdom
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16
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Frenkel-Toledo S, Einat M, Kozol Z. The Effects of Instruction Manipulation on Motor Performance Following Action Observation. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:33. [PMID: 32210778 PMCID: PMC7073404 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of action observation (AO) on motor performance can be modulated by instruction. The effects of two top-down aspects of the instruction on motor performance have not been fully resolved: those related to attention to the observed task and the incorporation of motor imagery (MI) during AO. In addition, the immediate vs. 24-h retention test effects of those instruction’s aspects are yet to be elucidated. Forty-eight healthy subjects were randomly instructed to: (1) observe reaching movement (RM) sequences toward five lighted units with the intention of reproducing the same sequence as fast and as accurate as possible (Intentional + Attentional group; AO+At); (2) observe the RMs sequence with the intention of reproducing the same sequence as fast and as accurate as possible and simultaneously to the observation to imagine performing the RMs (Intentional + attentional + MI group; AO+At+MI); and (3) observe the RMs sequence (Passive AO group). Subjects’ performance was tested before and immediately after the AO and retested after 24 h. During each of the pretest, posttest, and retest, the subject performed RMs toward the units that were activated in the same order as the observed sequence. Occasionally, the sequence order was changed by beginning the sequence with a different activated unit. The outcome measures were: averaged response time of the RMs during the sequences, difference between the response time of the unexpected and expected RMs and percent of failures to reach the target within 1 s. The averaged response time and the difference between the response time of the unexpected and expected RMs were improved in all groups at posttest compared to pretest, regardless of instruction. Averaged response time was improved in the retest compared to the posttest only in the Passive AO group. The percent of failures across groups was higher in pretest compared to retest. Our findings suggest that manipulating top-down aspects of instruction by adding attention and MI to AO in an RM sequence task does not improve subsequent performance more than passive observation. Off-line learning of the sequence in the retention test was improved in comparison to posttest following passive observation only.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvi Frenkel-Toledo
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel.,Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Loewenstein Hospital, Raanana, Israel
| | - Moshe Einat
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Zvi Kozol
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
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17
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Cuenca-Martínez F, Suso-Martí L, León-Hernández JV, La Touche R. The Role of Movement Representation Techniques in the Motor Learning Process: A Neurophysiological Hypothesis and a Narrative Review. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10010027. [PMID: 31906593 PMCID: PMC7016972 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10010027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a neurophysiological hypothesis for the role of motor imagery (MI) and action observation (AO) training in the motor learning process. The effects of movement representation in the brain and those of the cortical–subcortical networks related to planning, executing, adjusting, and automating real movements share a similar neurophysiological activity. Coupled with the influence of certain variables related to the movement representation process, this neurophysiological activity is a key component of the present hypothesis. These variables can be classified into four domains: physical, cognitive–evaluative, motivational–emotional, and direct-modulation. The neurophysiological activity underlying the creation and consolidation of mnemonic representations of motor gestures as a prerequisite to motor learning might differ between AO and MI. Together with variations in cognitive loads, these differences might explain the differing results in motor learning. The mirror neuron system appears to function more efficiently through AO training than MI, and AO is less demanding in terms of cognitive load than MI. AO might be less susceptible to the influence of variables related to movement representation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferran Cuenca-Martínez
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28023 Madrid, Spain; (J.V.L.-H.); (R.L.T.)
- Motion in Brains Research Group, Institute of Neuroscience and Sciences of the Movement (INCIMOV), Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28023 Madrid, Spain;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-91-740-1980 (ext. 310)
| | - Luis Suso-Martí
- Motion in Brains Research Group, Institute of Neuroscience and Sciences of the Movement (INCIMOV), Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28023 Madrid, Spain;
- Department of Physiotherapy, Cardenal Herrera University-CEU, CEU Universities, 46115 Valencia, Spain
| | - Jose Vicente León-Hernández
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28023 Madrid, Spain; (J.V.L.-H.); (R.L.T.)
- Motion in Brains Research Group, Institute of Neuroscience and Sciences of the Movement (INCIMOV), Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28023 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Roy La Touche
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28023 Madrid, Spain; (J.V.L.-H.); (R.L.T.)
- Motion in Brains Research Group, Institute of Neuroscience and Sciences of the Movement (INCIMOV), Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28023 Madrid, Spain;
- Instituto de Neurociencia y Dolor Craneofacial (INDCRAN), 28008 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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18
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Bek J, Arakaki AI, Lawrence A, Sullivan M, Ganapathy G, Poliakoff E. Dance and Parkinson's: A review and exploration of the role of cognitive representations of action. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 109:16-28. [PMID: 31846651 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition that causes both sensorimotor and non-motor impairments, and there is a clear need for non-medical approaches to improve quality of life. Dance is an increasingly popular activity among people with PD, which demonstrates potential therapeutic benefits. However, findings to date have been inconsistent, and little is known about the mechanisms underlying benefits of dance in PD. In this review, we provide an overview of research into dance for people with PD. The majority of quantitative evidence is in the sensorimotor domain, but cognitive, psychological and social effects have also been reported. We consider the role of cognitive representations of action within dance through observation, imitation and imagery, which may contribute to both sensorimotor and non-motor outcomes for people with PD. Moreover, we discuss how these processes may be enhanced through dance to provide further benefits in everyday life. Finally, we propose avenues for future research to increase understanding of action representation in dance for PD, which has the potential to inform practice and maximize benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Bek
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
| | - Aline I Arakaki
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
| | - Adam Lawrence
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
| | - Matthew Sullivan
- School of Science and the Environment, E432 John Dalton Building, Manchester Metropolitan University, Oxford Road, Manchester, M16 5BH, United Kingdom.
| | - Gayathri Ganapathy
- Equilibrium International, 6 Stretton Avenue, Manchester, M20 6HE, United Kingdom.
| | - Ellen Poliakoff
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
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19
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Gowen E, Vabalas A, Casson AJ, Poliakoff E. Instructions to attend to an observed action increase imitation in autistic adults. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2019; 24:730-743. [PMID: 31752526 DOI: 10.1177/1362361319882810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated whether reduced visual attention to an observed action might account for altered imitation in autistic adults. A total of 22 autistic and 22 non-autistic adults observed and then imitated videos of a hand producing sequences of movements that differed in vertical elevation while their hand and eye movements were recorded. Participants first performed a block of imitation trials with general instructions to imitate the action. They then performed a second block with explicit instructions to attend closely to the characteristics of the movement. Imitation was quantified according to how much participants modulated their movement between the different heights of the observed movements. In the general instruction condition, the autistic group modulated their movements significantly less compared to the non-autistic group. However, following instructions to attend to the movement, the autistic group showed equivalent imitation modulation to the non-autistic group. Eye movement recording showed that the autistic group spent significantly less time looking at the hand movement for both instruction conditions. These findings show that visual attention contributes to altered voluntary imitation in autistic individuals and have implications for therapies involving imitation as well as for autistic people's ability to understand the actions of others.
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20
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Di Rienzo F, Joassy P, Kanthack T, MacIntyre TE, Debarnot U, Blache Y, Hautier C, Collet C, Guillot A. Effects of Action Observation and Action Observation Combined with Motor Imagery on Maximal Isometric Strength. Neuroscience 2019; 418:82-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 08/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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21
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Romano Smith S, Wood G, Coyles G, Roberts JW, Wakefield CJ. The effect of action observation and motor imagery combinations on upper limb kinematics and EMG during dart‐throwing. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2019; 29:1917-1929. [DOI: 10.1111/sms.13534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Greg Wood
- Research Centre for Musculoskeletal Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Sport and Exercise Science Manchester Metropolitan University UK
| | - Ginny Coyles
- School of Health Sciences Liverpool Hope University Liverpool UK
| | - James W. Roberts
- School of Health Sciences Liverpool Hope University Liverpool UK
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22
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Scott MW, Emerson JR, Dixon J, Tayler MA, Eaves DL. Motor imagery during action observation enhances automatic imitation in children with and without developmental coordination disorder. J Exp Child Psychol 2019; 183:242-260. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Marshall B, Wright DJ, Holmes PS, Wood G. Combining Action Observation and Motor Imagery Improves Eye–Hand Coordination during Novel Visuomotor Task Performance. J Mot Behav 2019; 52:333-341. [DOI: 10.1080/00222895.2019.1626337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ben Marshall
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Musculoskeletal Science and Sports Medicine, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - David J. Wright
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Musculoskeletal Science and Sports Medicine, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Paul S. Holmes
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Musculoskeletal Science and Sports Medicine, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Greg Wood
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Musculoskeletal Science and Sports Medicine, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
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24
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Bek J, Gowen E, Vogt S, Crawford TJ, Poliakoff E. Combined action observation and motor imagery influences hand movement amplitude in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2019; 61:126-131. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Revised: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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25
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Emerson JR, Binks JA, Scott MW, Kenny RPW, Eaves DL. Combined action observation and motor imagery therapy: a novel method for post-stroke motor rehabilitation. AIMS Neurosci 2018; 5:236-252. [PMID: 32341964 PMCID: PMC7179337 DOI: 10.3934/neuroscience.2018.4.236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral vascular accidents (strokes) are a leading cause of motor deficiency in millions of people worldwide. While a complex range of biological systems is affected following a stroke, in this paper we focus primarily on impairments of the motor system and the recovery of motor skills. We briefly review research that has assessed two types of mental practice, which are currently recommended in stroke rehabilitation. Namely, action observation (AO) therapy and motor imagery (MI) training. We highlight the strengths and limitations in both techniques, before making the case for combined action observation and motor imagery (AO + MI) therapy as a potentially more effective method. This is based on a growing body of multimodal brain imaging research showing advantages for combined AO + MI instructions over the two separate methods of AO and MI. Finally, we offer a series of suggestions and considerations for how combined AO + MI therapy could be employed in neurorehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Daniel L. Eaves
- School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
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26
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Sparks S, Lyons M, Kritikos A. Top-down attentional factors modulate action priming in reach-to-grasp action. Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) 2018; 72:1589-1600. [PMID: 30282529 DOI: 10.1177/1747021818807697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies report that viewing exaggerated, high-lifting reaches (versus direct reaches) primes higher vertical deviation in wrist trajectory in the observer's subsequent reaches (trajectory priming), but it is unclear to what extent this effect depends upon task instructions relevant to top-down attention. In two experiments, participants were instructed to gaze at a dot presented on a large monitor for a colour-change go signal that cued them to execute a direct reach to a target. In the background, the monitor also displayed life-sized films of a human model. The films were of the model either remaining still or reaching to grasp a target with either a direct trajectory or an exaggerated, high-lifting trajectory. When the dot traced the human model's wrist throughout her movement, a robust trajectory priming effect emerged. When the dot remained stationary in a central location but the human model reached in the background, the human model's trajectory did not alter the participants' trajectories. Finally, when the dot traced exaggerated and direct trajectories and the human model remained stationary, the dot's movement produced an attenuated, non-significant trajectory priming effect. These findings show that top-down attentional factors modulate trajectory priming. In addition, a moving non-human stimulus does not produce the same degree of action priming when contextual factors make salient its independence of human agency and/or intention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Sparks
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Maxwell Lyons
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Ada Kritikos
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
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27
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How can the study of action kinematics inform our understanding of human social interaction? Neuropsychologia 2017; 105:101-110. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2017.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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28
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Applying machine learning to identify autistic adults using imitation: An exploratory study. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182652. [PMID: 28813454 PMCID: PMC5558936 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum condition (ASC) is primarily diagnosed by behavioural symptoms including social, sensory and motor aspects. Although stereotyped, repetitive motor movements are considered during diagnosis, quantitative measures that identify kinematic characteristics in the movement patterns of autistic individuals are poorly studied, preventing advances in understanding the aetiology of motor impairment, or whether a wider range of motor characteristics could be used for diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether data-driven machine learning based methods could be used to address some fundamental problems with regard to identifying discriminative test conditions and kinematic parameters to classify between ASC and neurotypical controls. Data was based on a previous task where 16 ASC participants and 14 age, IQ matched controls observed then imitated a series of hand movements. 40 kinematic parameters extracted from eight imitation conditions were analysed using machine learning based methods. Two optimal imitation conditions and nine most significant kinematic parameters were identified and compared with some standard attribute evaluators. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to apply machine learning to kinematic movement parameters measured during imitation of hand movements to investigate the identification of ASC. Although based on a small sample, the work demonstrates the feasibility of applying machine learning methods to analyse high-dimensional data and suggest the potential of machine learning for identifying kinematic biomarkers that could contribute to the diagnostic classification of autism.
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29
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Forbes PAG, Hamilton AFDC. Moving higher and higher: imitators' movements are sensitive to observed trajectories regardless of action rationality. Exp Brain Res 2017. [PMID: 28623389 PMCID: PMC5550528 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-017-5006-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Humans sometimes perform actions which, at least superficially, appear suboptimal to the goal they are trying to achieve. Despite being able to identify these irrational actions from an early age, humans display a curious tendency to copy them. The current study recorded participants’ movements during an established imitation task and manipulated the rationality of the observed action in two ways. Participants observed videos of a model point to a series of targets with either a low, high or ‘superhigh’ trajectory either in the presence or absence of obstacles between her targets. The participants’ task was to watch which targets the model pointed to and then point to the same targets on the table in front of them. There were no obstacles between the participants’ targets. Firstly, we found that the peak height of participants’ movements between their targets was sensitive to the height of the model’s movements, even in the ‘superhigh’ condition where the model’s action was rated as irrational. Secondly, participants showed obstacle priming—the peak height of participants’ movements was higher after having observed the model move over obstacles to reach her targets, compared to when there were no obstacles between her targets. This suggests that participants code the environment of co-actors into their own motor programs, even when this compromises the efficiency of their own movements. We discuss the implications of our findings in terms of theories of imitation and obstacle priming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A G Forbes
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK.
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Puglisi G, Leonetti A, Landau A, Fornia L, Cerri G, Borroni P. The role of attention in human motor resonance. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177457. [PMID: 28510605 PMCID: PMC5433684 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Observation of others' actions evokes in primary motor cortex and spinal circuits of observers a subliminal motor resonance response, which reflects the motor program encoding observed actions. We investigated the role of attention in human motor resonance with four experimental conditions, explored in different subject groups: in the first explicit condition, subjects were asked to observe a rhythmic hand flexion-extension movement performed live in front of them. In two other conditions subjects had to monitor the activity of a LED light mounted on the oscillating hand. The hand was clearly visible but it was not the focus of subjects' attention: in the semi-implicit condition hand movement was relevant to task completion, while in the implicit condition it was irrelevant. In a fourth, baseline, condition subjects observed the rhythmic oscillation of a metal platform. Motor resonance was measured with the H-reflex technique as the excitability modulation of cortico-spinal motorneurons driving a hand flexor muscle. As expected, a normal resonant response developed in the explicit condition, and no resonant response in the baseline condition. Resonant responses also developed in both semi-implicit and implicit conditions and, surprisingly, were not different from each other, indicating that viewing an action is, per se, a powerful stimulus for the action observation network, even when it is not the primary focus of subjects' attention and even when irrelevant to the task. However, the amplitude of these responses was much reduced compared to the explicit condition, and the phase-lock between the time courses of observed movement and resonant motor program was lost. In conclusion, different parameters of the response were differently affected by subtraction of attentional resources with respect to the explicit condition: time course and muscle selection were preserved while the activation of motor circuits resulted in much reduced amplitude and lost its kinematic specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guglielmo Puglisi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milano, Medical School, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonella Leonetti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milano, Medical School, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Medical School, Milan, Italy
| | - Ayelet Landau
- Department of Psychology & Department of Cognitive Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Luca Fornia
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Medical School, Milan, Italy
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Gabriella Cerri
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Medical School, Milan, Italy
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Paola Borroni
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milano, Medical School, Milan, Italy
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Scott M, Taylor S, Chesterton P, Vogt S, Eaves DL. Motor imagery during action observation increases eccentric hamstring force: an acute non-physical intervention. Disabil Rehabil 2017; 40:1443-1451. [DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2017.1300333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Scott
- Department of Psychology, Sport and Exercise, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Taylor
- Department of Psychology, Sport and Exercise, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Chesterton
- Department of Psychology, Sport and Exercise, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Vogt
- Department of Psychology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Lloyd Eaves
- Department of Psychology, Sport and Exercise, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
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Caligiore D, Mustile M, Spalletta G, Baldassarre G. Action observation and motor imagery for rehabilitation in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and an integrative hypothesis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 72:210-222. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Revised: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Eaves DL, Riach M, Holmes PS, Wright DJ. Motor Imagery during Action Observation: A Brief Review of Evidence, Theory and Future Research Opportunities. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:514. [PMID: 27917103 PMCID: PMC5116576 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Motor imagery (MI) and action observation (AO) have traditionally been viewed as two separate techniques, which can both be used alongside physical practice to enhance motor learning and rehabilitation. Their independent use has largely been shown to be effective, and there is clear evidence that the two processes can elicit similar activity in the motor system. Building on these well-established findings, research has now turned to investigate the effects of their combined use. In this article, we first review the available neurophysiological and behavioral evidence for the effects of combined action observation and motor imagery (AO+MI) on motor processes. We next describe a conceptual framework for their combined use, and then discuss several areas for future research into AO+MI processes. In this review, we advocate a more integrated approach to AO+MI techniques than has previously been adopted by movement scientists and practitioners alike. We hope that this early review of an emergent body of research, along with a related set of research questions, can inspire new work in this area. We are optimistic that future research will further confirm if, how, and when this combined approach to AO+MI can be more effective in motor learning and rehabilitation settings, relative to the more traditional application of MI or AO independently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L. Eaves
- Sport and Exercise Science Section, Teesside UniversityMiddlesbrough, UK
| | - Martin Riach
- Research Centre for Health, Exercise and Active Living, Manchester Metropolitan UniversityCrewe, UK
| | - Paul S. Holmes
- Research Centre for Health, Exercise and Active Living, Manchester Metropolitan UniversityCrewe, UK
| | - David J. Wright
- Research Centre for Health, Exercise and Active Living, Manchester Metropolitan UniversityCrewe, UK
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Patients' Views on a Combined Action Observation and Motor Imagery Intervention for Parkinson's Disease. PARKINSONS DISEASE 2016; 2016:7047910. [PMID: 27777809 PMCID: PMC5061967 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7047910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background. Action observation and motor imagery activate neural structures involved in action execution, thereby facilitating movement and learning. Although some benefits of action observation and motor imagery have been reported in Parkinson's disease (PD), methods have been based on stroke rehabilitation and may be less suitable for PD. Moreover, previous studies have focused on either observation or imagery, yet combining these enhances effects in healthy participants. The present study explores the feasibility of a PD-specific home-based intervention combining observation, imagery, and imitation of meaningful everyday actions. Methods. A focus group was conducted with six people with mild to moderate PD and two companions, exploring topics relating to the utility and feasibility of a home-based observation and imagery intervention. Results. Five themes were identified. Participants reported their experiences of exercise and use of action observation and motor imagery in everyday activities, and the need for strategies to improve movement was expressed. Motivational factors including feedback, challenge, and social support were identified as key issues. The importance of offering a broad range of actions and flexible training was also highlighted. Conclusions. A home-based intervention utilising action observation and motor imagery would be useful and feasible in mild to moderate PD.
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