Effects of Motor Imagery and Action Observation on Electromyographic Activity and Intramuscular Oxygenation in the Hand Gripping Gesture
Condition: Asymptomatic Subjects; Painfree Voluntiers; Neuroscience
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Motor imagery is defined as a dynamic mental process of an action, without its real motor
      execution. Action observation training consists of watching an action performed by someone
      else. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of motor imagery and
      action observation combined with a hand grip strength program on strength gains in
      asymptomatic participants. The secondary objective was to assess the influence of motor
      imagery and action observation training combined with a hand grip strength program on
      electromyographic activity and intramuscular oxygenation of the forearm muscles.
    

Detailed description: 
      Motor imagery is defined as a dynamic mental process of an action, without its real motor
      execution. Action observation training consists of watching an action performed by someone
      else. Both motor imagery and action observation have been shown to produce a
      neurophysiological activation of the brain areas related to the planning and execution of
      voluntary movement in a manner that resembles how the action is performed in reality.

      Several studies have shown that patients can report a significant improvement in strength
      with motor imagery training. There is also evidence regarding the improvements in motor
      skills in participants who perform motor imagery training combined with mirror therapy. Motor
      imagery is recognized as one of the most popular and effective forms of training to improve
      learning strategies and to increase the capacity to perfect sports movements, as has been
      observed in rhythmic gymnastics athletes.

      In addition to the previously mentioned adaptations, a recent research proved that motor
      imagery and action observation provoke an activation of the sympathetic-excitatory nervous
      system. Changes in respiration, heart rate and skin temperature are produced, as well as an
      increase in electrodermal activity.

      Both motor imagery and action observation are interventions that can generate adaptive
      neuroplastic changes on a cortical level, leading to a decrease in chronic pain. These
      rehabilitation techniques are used in pain treatment and impaired movement injuries that
      could be due to a nervous system alteration.

      Action observation effectively facilitates motor learning, and is a tool for rehabilitation
      in neurological and musculoskeletal diseases. Action observation training leads to
      significant improvements in static balance and helps improve gait in patients with
      hemiparesis after an ictus.

      A recent study showed that the patient's functionality loss is lessened if motor imagery and
      action observation are applied after an immobilization process, reducing the loss of wrist
      mobility, strength and muscle mass.

      The effectiveness of motor imagery is controversial; several studies have presented
      unfavorable outcomes from this technique. Some variables, such as the duration of the
      sessions, the time employed the type of motor task or the number of sessions can influence
      the outcomes of these studies. Thus, it is necessary to clarify the controversial aspects of
      motor imagery, which lead us to perform this study.

      This study evaluates variables that have not yet shown conclusive results: intramuscular
      oxygenation and electromyography. Focusing principally on the effectiveness of the treatment
      and the adaptations that are generated on an intramuscular level leads to a better
      understanding of what occurs as a result of training with motor imagery and action
      observation, and also whether these variables influence the effectiveness of the treatment.

      Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of motor imagery
      and action observation combined with a hand grip strength program on strength gains in
      asymptomatic participants. The secondary objective was to assess the influence of motor
      imagery and action observation training combined with a hand grip strength program on
      electromyographic activity and intramuscular oxygenation of the forearm muscles.
    

Intervention name(s): Mental Practise
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): They made a mental task to produce a neurophysiological activation of the brain areas related to the planning and execution of voluntary movement in a manner that resembles how the action is performed in reality in combination with real exercises.
Other intervention name(s): Mental Task
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Investigator)
Primary purpose: Basic Science
Keywords: motor imagery; action observation