Effects of self-action observation on standing balance learning: A change of brain activity detected using functional near-infrared spectroscopy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that the observation of others' actions leads to enhanced motor skill learning. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether others' or self-action observation is effective for standing balance learning. In addition, we examined cortical activation during action observation using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. METHODS: Thirty-nine healthy young subjects were assigned randomly to the Control, Other-Observation (O-O), and Self-Observation (S-O) groups. The subjects learned to stand on a tilting platform while maintaining a horizontal position. The Control group alternated each trial with a rest period. The O-O and S-O groups were provided with information related to their performance during the rest period: the O-O group observed another person, while the S-O group observed their previous performance. Cortical activation was assessed by changes of hemoglobin oxygenation (oxyHb). RESULTS: A 2-way analysis of variance with repeated measures on balance performance revealed a significant difference in post-training (p < 0.05) and retention (p < 0.01) only in the S-O group. And an increase of oxyHb levels at post-training in the S-O group was observed in the supplementary motor area. CONCLUSION: Self-action observation improved standing balance and brain activity during training and at 24 h after training.

Non-invasive Neurophysiology in Learning and Training: Mechanisms and a SWOT Analysis

“…Measures of neurophysiology respond in a predictable manner to cognitive demand/mental workload or mental effort (Gevins and Smith, 2003;Antonenko et al, 2010;Setz et al, 2010;Ayaz et al, 2012;Brouwer et al, 2012;Borghini et al, 2014;Hogervorst et al, 2014;Reiner and Gelfeld, 2014;Gable et al, 2015;Charles and Nixon, 2019). As mental effort increases, sympathetic activation increases and parasympathetic inhibition decreases (Berntson et al, 1991), paralleled by changes in the central nervous system such as in oscillations in the EEG signal with alpha oscillations generally increasing and theta oscillations generally decreasing with decreasing demands (Klimesch, 1999;Klimesch et al, 2005;Antonenko et al, 2010;Brouwer et al, 2012) and in activation patterns in the fNIRS signal with activity in the (pre)frontal cortex generally increasing (Ayaz et al, 2012;Hiyamizu et al, 2014).…”

Measures of prefrontal functional near-infrared spectroscopy in visuomotor learning

“…Moreover, while the current study only examined PFC activity, changes during visuomotor learning have also been reported with fNIRS in other brain areas, such as the supplementary motor area and the pre-supplementary motor area (Hatakenaka et al 2007;Sagari et al 2015) and the sensory-motor cortex (Hatakenaka et al 2007;Hiyamizu et al 2014;Ikegami and Taga 2008;Sagari et al 2015). Effects of visuomotor learning on brain activity are not only reflected in reduced activity suggesting a decrease in the cognitive effort; enhanced brain activity during learning has also been demonstrated.…”

The effects of mirror neuron system-based self-observation training on lower limb muscle activity and dynamic balance in patients with chronic stroke

“…In another study, the participants were divided into a self-observation followed by physical training group, a physical training after observing healthy adults’ motions group, and a physical training without observation group. The three groups underwent balance training on a horizontal surface, and the results showed that the self-observation group showed a significant improvement of balance 16 ) . The results of the present study were consistent with those of the abovementioned prior study, self-observation training improves the asymmetric gait pattern.…”