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

Abstract

In this study we explored training effects for combined action observation and motor imagery (AO+MI) instructions on a complex cup-stacking task, without physical practice. Using a Graeco-Latin Square design, we randomly assigned twenty-six participants into four groups. This counterbalanced the within-participant factor of practice condition (AO+MI, AO, MI, Control) across four cup-stacking tasks, which varied in their complexity. On each of the three consecutive practice days participants experienced twenty trials under each of the three mental practice conditions. On each trial, a first-person perspective video depicted bilateral cup-stacking performed by an experienced model. During AO, participants passively observed this action, responding only to occasional colour cues. For AO+MI, participants imagined performing the observed action and synchronised their concurrent MI with the display. For MI, a sequence of pictures cued imagery of each stage of the task. Analyses revealed a significant main effect of practice condition both at the ’surprise’ post-test (Day 3) and at the one-week retention test. At both time points movement execution times were significantly shorter for AO+MI compared with AO, MI and the Control. Execution times were also shorter overall at the retention compared with the post-test. These results demonstrate that a complex novel motor task can be acquired without physical training. Practitioners can therefore use AO+MI practice to supplement physical practice and optimise skill learning.

Enhancing upper-limb neurorehabilitation in chronic stroke survivors using combined action observation and motor imagery therapy

“…At baseline, post and retention test time points the direction of significant differences between tasks replicated the findings of Binks et al (77). The mean times for each cup-stacking task (i.e., Greek letters within the design) were significantly different from one another, which identified increasing complexity across the four tasks in the following order: 1-10-1 > 6-6 > 3-6-3 > 3-3-3-3.…”

“…This result is in line with previous betweengroup studies demonstrating beneficial practice effects for AO + MI training in neurotypical populations compared to AO [e.g., (118)], or MI [e.g., (71,72)], or compared to both AO and MI (74-76). Building upon the significant findings of Binks et al (77), the present study is the first to fully counterbalance the research design to control for several common sources of extraneous variability, while analyzing motor learning via mental practice in a stroke survivor population.…”

“…In the present study, we adapted this research design to investigate AO + MI training effects in stroke neurorehabilitation. We also incorporated the same cup-stacking task as in Binks et al (77), which has been used in previous research to demonstrate improvements in neurorehabilitation via AO therapy in stroke survivors [see (78)(79)(80)].…”

Applications of Brain-Computer Interface in Action Observation and Motor Imagery

“…Binks et al [6] delved deeper into motor learning intricacies, investigating the training effects of AO + MI instructions on a complex cup-stacking task. Their study suggested that even complex motor skills, traditionally relying heavily on physical practice, can witness significant enhancements through cognitive interventions like AO + MI.…”

Observing an expert's action swapped with an observer's face increases corticospinal excitability during combined action observation and motor imagery

“…Numerous studies are showing the motor learning benefits associated with AOMI, even when the actions are beyond the learner's motor repertoire (Aoyama et al, 2020; Binks, Emerson, et al, 2023; Binks, Wilson, et al, 2023; Eaves et al, 2022; Kawasaki et al, 2018; Scott et al, 2023). However, individual AOMI with respect to less experienced and more challenging actions fail to elicit an increase in corticospinal excitability (Eaves et al, 2016; Fourkas et al, 2006; Mizuguchi & Kanosue, 2017), which may be due to less vividness (Moriuchi et al, 2020).…”