Combined action observation and imagery facilitates corticospinal excitability

Wright, DJ, Williams, Jacqueline ORCID: 0000-0003-1235-5186 and Holmes, PS (2014) Combined action observation and imagery facilitates corticospinal excitability. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8. ISSN 1662-5161

Abstract

Observation and imagery of movement both activate similar brain regions to those involved in movement execution. As such, both are recommended as techniques for aiding the recovery of motor function following stroke. Traditionally, action observation and movement imagery (MI) have been considered as independent intervention techniques. Researchers have however begun to consider the possibility of combining the two techniques into a single intervention strategy. This study investigated the effect of combined action observation and MI on corticospinal excitability, in comparison to either observation or imagery alone. Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was delivered to the hand representation of the left motor cortex during combined action observation and MI, passive observation (PO), or MI of right index finger abduction-adduction movements or control conditions. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded from the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and abductor digiti minimi (ADM) muscles of the right hand. The combined action observation and MI condition produced MEPs of larger amplitude than were obtained during PO and control conditions. This effect was only present in the FDI muscle, indicating the facilitation of corticospinal excitability during the combined condition was specific to the muscles involved in the observed/imagined task. These findings have implications for stroke rehabilitation, where combined action observation and MI interventions may prove to be more effective than observation or imagery alone.

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Item type Article
URI https://vuir.vu.edu.au/id/eprint/30134
DOI 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00951
Official URL http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnh...
Subjects Historical > FOR Classification > 1106 Human Movement and Sports Science
Historical > Faculty/School/Research Centre/Department > Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL)
Keywords Action observation; Motor evoked potentials; Movement imagery; Stroke rehabilitation; Transcranial magnetic stimulation
Citations in Scopus 97 - View on Scopus
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