Motor simulation interventions involving motor imagery (MI) and action observation (AO) have received considerable interest in the behavioral sciences. A growing body of research has focused on using AO and MI simultaneously, termed ‘combined action observation and motor imagery’ (AOMI). The current meta-analysis collated and synthesized existing motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude data from transcranial magnetic stimulation studies and movement outcome data from behavioral studies to quantify changes in corticospinal excitability and motor skill performance for AOMI compared to AO, MI and control conditions. AOMI had a medium positive effect on MEP amplitudes compared to all three conditions. However, for movement outcome data, AOMI had a small to medium positive effect compared to control, but no effect compared to AO and MI conditions. The timing and intensity of transcranial magnetic stimulation moderated facilitation of corticospinal excitability during AOMI, whereas self-reported kinesthetic imagery ability moderated the effects of AOMI on movement outcomes. The results of this meta-analysis are discussed in relation to existing literature on motor simulation and skill acquisition. The limitations within the current literature on AOMI are considered, before providing viable directions for future research on this topic.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.