Combining motor imagery with action observation training does not lead to a greater autonomic nervous system response than motor imagery alone during simple and functional movements: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Both motor imagery (MI) and action observation (AO) trigger the activation of the neurocognitive mechanisms that underlie the planning and execution of voluntary movements in a manner that resembles how the action is performed in a real way. The main objective of the present study was to compare the autonomic nervous system (ANS) response in an isolated MI group compared to a combined MI + AO group. The mental tasks were based on two simple movements that are recorded in the revised movement imagery questionnaire in third-person perspective. The secondary objective of the study was to test if there was any relationship between the ANS variables and the ability to generate mental motor imagery, the mental chronometry and the level of physical activity. The main outcomes that were measured were heart rate, respiratory rate and electrodermal activity. A Biopac MP150 system, a measurement device of autonomic changes, was used for the quantification and evaluation of autonomic variables. Forty five asymptomatic subjects were selected and randomized in three groups: isolated MI, MI + AO and control group (CG). In regards to the activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), no differences were observed between MI and MI + AO groups (p > .05), although some differences were found between both groups when compared to the CG (p < .05). Additionally, even though no associations were reported between the ANS variables and the ability to generate mental motor imagery, moderate-strong positive associations were found in mental chronometry and the level of physical activity. Our results suggest that MI and MI + AO, lead to an activation of the SNS, although there are no significant differences between the two groups. Based on results obtained, we suggest that tasks of low complexity, providing a visual input through the AO does not facilitates their subsequent motor imagination. A higher level of physical activity as well as a longer time to perform mental task, seem to be associated with a greater increase in the ANS response.

The Role of Movement Representation Techniques in the Motor Learning Process: A Neurophysiological Hypothesis and a Narrative Review

“…The time required to perform a certain action is similar to the time taken to represent that action as a motor image [63], even when contextual variations (such as placing weights on the arms) are included [64]. Studies have also found neurophysiological similarities in the neurovegetative responses to physical practice [65] and to movement representation [66,67], even with simple motor gestures [53].…”

“…In addition, it has been found that the vividness of the imagination affected motor learning, showing more significant changes in those participants who presented a more vivid imagination [52]. Regarding the autonomic nervous system response, Cuenca-Martínez et al [53] found that the complexity of movement, the effort-intensity, and the levels of physical activity can influence neurovegetative activity in the process of generating motor images. Finally, regarding the synchronization, several studies have showed that unknown, uncommon, and uncomfortable movements can lead to differences between the time employed between the imagined and real execution [54,55].…”

Feasibility of motor imagery and effects of activating and relaxing practice on autonomic functions in healthy young adults: A randomised, controlled, assessor-blinded, pilot trial

“…A study compared the effects of MI alone with MI plus action observation against a control group on autonomic function in 45 healthy people and showed differences in the heart and respiratory rates and some of the measures of electrodermal activities [ 77 ]. Although different autonomic function measures were used in our study, one would expect similar results.…”

Motor Imagery and Action Observation of Specific Neck Therapeutic Exercises Induced Hypoalgesia in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Single-Blind Placebo Trial

“…SNTE exercises are highly difficult to imagine, due to the fact that they require motor learning of unknown, complex, and high precision movements. This could result in less mental effort performed by patients in the MI group, due to their inability to imagine the exercises, and less effort is associated with decreased ANS responses and might therefore be associated with decreased hypoalgesic responses [60,61]. Another hypothesis in this aspect is that the difficulty in imagining the exercises could provoke a mental stress in the patients of the MI group that could be related to the hypoalgesia.…”