Guidelines for Reporting Action Simulation Studies (GRASS): proposals to improve reporting of research in Motor Imagery and Action Observation

Abstract

Researchers from multiple disciplines have studied the simulation of actions through motor imagery, action observation, or their combination. Procedures used in these studies vary considerably between research groups, and no standardized approach to reporting experimental protocols has been proposed. This has led to under-reporting of critical details, impairing the assessment, replication, synthesis, and potential clinical translation of effects. We provide an overview of issues related to the reporting of information in action simulation studies, and discuss the benefits of standardized reporting. We propose a series of checklists that identify key details of research protocols to include when reporting action simulation studies. Each checklist comprises A) essential methodological details, B) essential details that are relevant to a specific mode of action simulation, and C) further points that may be useful on a case-by-case basis. We anticipate that the use of these guidelines will improve the understanding, reproduction, and synthesis of studies using action simulation, and enhance the translation of research using motor imagery and action observation to applied and clinical settings.

Engaging distributed cortical and cerebellar networks through motor execution, observation, and imagery

“…As such, it is not surprising that motor imagery has also been proposed as a cognitive tool that could facilitate training and rehabilitation (for review see Mulder, 2007 ; Yoxon and Welsh, 2020 ). However, this approach alone has produced varying levels of success ( Chye et al, 2022 ), likely in part due to a lack of standardization in the use of motor imagery (although see Moreno-Verdú et al, 2022 ) and the systematic study of motor imagery presenting a number of challenges due to its covert and introspective nature. In this regard, the advancement of neuroimaging techniques has hastened progress to uncover the neurophysiological bases of motor imagery in humans, providing the capability to examine activated brain networks underlying these covert cognitive processes.…”

Motor learning without physical practice: The effects of combined action observation and motor imagery practice on cup-stacking speed

“…The MI practice condition was administered in this way to provide basic visual cues to help structure and sequence their MI without providing observation of a dynamic action. These instructions also incorporated some of the PETTLEP principles(Holmes & Collins, 2001;Moreno-Verdú et al, 2022. During each trial, participants were instructed to imagine performing the action in a 1st person perspective and to maintain an emphasis on 'feeling' the imagined movement (e.g.,Eaves et al, 2016b).…”

Consistent Under-reporting of Task Details in Motor Imagery Research

“…We therefore anticipate that the development of standardised procedures to improve the level of detail reported in action simulation studies would be extremely beneficial for future work aimed at replicating work and translating work on motor imagery into applied and clinical contexts. Such guidelines have only recently been introduced (Moreno-Verdú et al, 2022) and while at the time of writing it is not yet possible to assess the effects of these guidelines on the motor imagery literature, we anticipate that such initiatives will have a positive effect on the quality of study reporting.…”