1
|
Scott MW, Mulligan D, Kuehne M, Zhu M, Ma M, Hodges NJ. Effector-specific improvements in action prediction in left-handed individuals after short-term physical practice. Cortex 2024; 178:18-31. [PMID: 38964150 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2024.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Research has established the influence of short-term physical practice for enhancing action prediction in right-handed (RH) individuals. In addition to benefits of physical practice for these later assessed perceptual-cognitive skills, effector-specific interference has been shown through action-incongruent secondary tasks (motor interference tasks). Here we investigated this experience-driven facilitation of action predictions and effector-specific interference in left-handed (LH) novices, before and after practicing a dart throwing task. Participants watched either RH (n = 19) or LH (n = 24) videos of temporally occluded dart throws, across a control condition and three secondary-task conditions: tone-monitoring, RH or LH force monitoring. These conditions were completed before and after physical practice throwing with the LH. Significantly greater improvement in prediction accuracy was shown post-practice for the LH- versus RH-video group. Consistent with previous work, effector-specific interference was shown, exclusive to the LH-video group. Only when doing the LH force monitoring task did the LH-video group show secondary task interference in prediction accuracy. These data support the idea that short-term physical practice resulted in the development of an effector-specific motor representation. The results are also consistent with other work in RH individuals (showing RH motor interference) and hence rule out the interpretation that these effector specific effects are due to the disruption of more generalized motor processes, thought to be lateralized to the left-hemisphere of the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W Scott
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Desmond Mulligan
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Mareike Kuehne
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Megan Zhu
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Minghao Ma
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Nicola J Hodges
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mezzarobba S, Bonassi G, Avanzino L, Pelosin E. Action Observation and Motor Imagery as a Treatment in Patients with Parkinson's Disease. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2024:JPD230219. [PMID: 38250785 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-230219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Action observation (AO) and motor imagery (MI) has emerged as promising tool for physiotherapy intervention in Parkinson's disease (PD). This narrative review summarizes why, how, and when applying AO and MI training in individual with PD. We report the neural underpinning of AO and MI and their effects on motor learning. We examine the characteristics and the current evidence regarding the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions and we provide suggestions about their implementation with technologies. Neurophysiological data suggest a substantial correct activation of brain networks underlying AO and MI in people with PD, although the occurrence of compensatory mechanisms has been documented. Regarding the efficacy of training, in general evidence indicates that both these techniques improve mobility and functional activities in PD. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to variety of the study designs, training characteristics, and the modalities in which AO and MI were applied. Finally, results on long-term effects are still uncertain. Several elements should be considered to optimize the use of AO and MI in clinical setting, such as the selection of the task, the imagery or the video perspectives, the modalities of training. However, a comprehensive individual assessment, including motor and cognitive abilities, is essential to select which between AO and MI suite the best to each PD patients. Much unrealized potential exists for the use AO and MI training to provide personalized intervention aimed at fostering motor learning in both the clinic and home setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Mezzarobba
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, and "RAISE Ecosystem", Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gaia Bonassi
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, and "RAISE Ecosystem", Genova, Italy
| | - Laura Avanzino
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elisa Pelosin
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, and "RAISE Ecosystem", Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Craighero L, Granziol U, Sartori L. Digital Intentions in the Fingers: I Know What You Are Doing with Your Smartphone. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1418. [PMID: 37891787 PMCID: PMC10605869 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Every day, we make thousands of finger movements on the touchscreen of our smartphones. The same movements might be directed at various distal goals. We can type "What is the weather in Rome?" in Google to acquire information from a weather site, or we may type it on WhatsApp to decide whether to visit Rome with a friend. In this study, we show that by watching an agent's typing hands, an observer can infer whether the agent is typing on the smartphone to obtain information or to share it with others. The probability of answering correctly varies with age and typing style. According to embodied cognition, we propose that the recognition process relies on detecting subtle differences in the agent's movement, a skill that grows with sensorimotor competence. We expect that this preliminary work will serve as a starting point for further research on sensorimotor representations of digital actions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laila Craighero
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Umberto Granziol
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Luisa Sartori
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Guidali G, Picardi M, Franca M, Caronni A, Bolognini N. The social relevance and the temporal constraints of motor resonance in humans. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15933. [PMID: 37741884 PMCID: PMC10517949 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43227-2] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In humans, motor resonance effects can be tracked by measuring the enhancement of corticospinal excitability by action observation. Uncovering factors driving motor resonance is crucial for optimizing action observation paradigms in experimental and clinical settings. In the present study, we deepen motor resonance properties for grasping movements. Thirty-five healthy subjects underwent an action observation task presenting right-hand grasping movements differing from their action goal. Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied over the left primary motor cortex at 100, 200, or 300 ms from the onset of the visual stimulus depicting the action. Motor-evoked potentials were recorded from four muscles of the right hand and forearm. Results show a muscle-specific motor resonance effect at 200 ms after movement but selectively for observing a socially relevant grasp towards another human being. This effect correlates with observers' emotional empathy scores, and it was followed by inhibition of motor resonance at 300 ms post-stimulus onset. No motor resonance facilitation emerged while observing intransitive hand movement or object grasping. This evidence highlights the social side of motor resonance and its dependency on temporal factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Guidali
- Department of Psychology & NeuroMI-Milan Centre for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy.
| | - Michela Picardi
- Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa di cura Igea, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Franca
- Department of Psychology & NeuroMI-Milan Centre for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy
- Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Antonio Caronni
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Ospedale San Luca, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Bolognini
- Department of Psychology & NeuroMI-Milan Centre for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy.
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Craighero L, Mele S, Gaifas V, Bonaguri E, Straudi S. Evidence of motor resonance in stroke patients with severe upper limb function impairments. Cortex 2023; 159:16-25. [PMID: 36603404 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2022.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
For the past fifteen years, observation of actions has proved to be effective in the motor rehabilitation of stroke. Despite this, no evidence has ever been provided that this practice is able to activate the efferent motor system of a limb unable to perform the observed action due to stroke. In fact, transcranial magnetic stimulation cannot easily be used in these patients, and the fMRI evidence is inconclusive. This creates a logical problem, as the effectiveness of action observation in functional recovery is attributed to its ability to evoke action simulation, up to sub-threshold muscle activation (i.e., motor resonance), in healthy individuals. To provide the necessary proof-of-concept, patients with severe upper limb function impairments and matched control participants were submitted to a verified action prediction paradigm. They were asked to watch videos showing gripping movements towards a graspable or an ungraspable object, and to press a button the instant the agent touched the object. The presence of more accurate responses for the graspable object trials is considered an indirect evidence of motor resonance. Participants were required to perform the task in two sessions which differed in the hand used to respond. Despite the serious difficulty of movement, 8 out of 18 patients were able to perform the task with their impaired hand. We found that the responses given by the paretic hand showed a modulation of the action prediction time no different from that showed by the non-paretic hand, which, in turn, did not differ from that showed by the matched control participants. The present proof-of-concept study shows that action observation involves the efferent motor system even when the hand used to respond is unable to perform the observed action due to a cortical lesion, providing the missing evidence to support the already established use of Action Observation Training (AOT) in motor rehabilitation of stroke.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laila Craighero
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Sonia Mele
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine & Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Piazzale Ludovico Antonio Scuro 10, 37124 Verona, Italy.
| | - Valentina Gaifas
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Emma Bonaguri
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Sofia Straudi
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Ferrara University Hospital, Via Aldo Moro, 8, 44124 Ferrara, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|