The capacity of action observation to drag the trainees' motor pattern toward the observed model

Abstract

Action Observation Training (AOT) promotes the acquisition of motor abilities. However, while the cortical modulations associated with the AOT efficacy are well known, few studies investigated the AOT peripheral neural correlates and whether their dynamics move towards the observed model during the training. We administered seventy-two participants (randomized into AOT and Control groups) with training for learning to grasp marbles with chopsticks. Execution practice was preceded by an observation session, in which AOT participants observed an expert performing the task, whereas controls observed landscape videos. Behavioral indices were measured, and three hand muscles' electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded and compared with the expert. Behaviorally, both groups improved during the training, with AOT outperforming controls. The EMG trainee-model similarity also increased during the training, but only for the AOT group. When combining behavioral and EMG similarity findings, no global relationship emerged; however, behavioral improvements were "locally" predicted by the similarity gain in muscles and action phases more related to the specific motor act. These findings reveal that AOT plays a magnetic role in motor learning, attracting the trainee's motor pattern toward the observed model and paving the way for developing online monitoring tools and neurofeedback protocols.

The importance of observing the master’s hand: Action Observation Training promotes the acquisition of new musical skills

“…Indeed, while control training did not induce any significant modulation over time, AOT was able to polarize the trainee’s expressive pattern toward those of the observed model. Such a “dragging effect” is consistent with recent experiments showing that the improvement of the motor performance induced by AOT is linked to the increase of similarity of the observer’s motor pattern toward the model ( 24 ). The observation of hand-keys interaction, coupled with prominent acoustical information, may have sculpted a more comprehensive motor representation, in turn promoting a more similar motor performance.…”

“…In recent years, a growing body of research has pointed out that motor training based on action observation boosts the improvement of motor skills in a wide range of human activities ( 10 , 23 , 24 ). In the present study, we investigated whether the same potentiality can be applied also to the music realm and, if this is the case, which aspects of musical performance were mostly impacted.…”

Upper Limb Electromyographic Responses to Motor Imagery and Action Observation in Acquired Brain Injury

“…Therefore, it is essential to control the duration of the recordings and the number of movements and repetitions when designing protocols. In the case of AO, protocols and studies that have been carried out using EMG have shown that muscle activation occurs, and, after training, changes in the contraction of the muscles were studied [ 37 , 38 ]. However, these studies have not been conducted in the therapeutic field, so demonstrating that protocols of this type are effective may open doors in neurorehabilitation.…”