Abstract
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 paper includes two meta-analyses that quantify changes in corticospinal excitability and motor skill performance for AOMI compared to AO, MI and control conditions. Specifically, the first meta-analysis collated and synthesized existing motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude data from transcranial magnetic stimulation studies and the second meta-analysis collated and synthesized existing movement outcome data from behavioral studies. AOMI had a positive effect compared to control and AO but not MI conditions for both MEP amplitudes and movement outcomes. No methodological factors moderated the effects of AOMI, indicating a robust effect of AOMI across the two outcome variables. The results of the meta-analyses are discussed in relation to existing literature on motor simulation and skill acquisition, before providing viable directions for future research on this topic.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 104911 |
Journal | Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews |
Volume | 143 |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2022 |
Keywords
- Humans
- Imagination/physiology
- Muscle, Skeletal/physiology
- Evoked Potentials, Motor/physiology
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
- Movement
- Pyramidal Tracts/physiology