Sonification of combined action observation and motor imagery: effects on corticospinal excitability

Castro, F., Bryjka, P. A., Di Pino, G., Vuckovic, A. , Nowicky, A. and Bishop, D. (2021) Sonification of combined action observation and motor imagery: effects on corticospinal excitability. Brain and Cognition, 152, 105768. (doi: 10.1016/j.bandc.2021.105768)

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Abstract

Action observation and motor imagery are valuable strategies for motor learning. Their simultaneous use (AOMI) increases neural activity, with related benefits for motor learning, compared to the two strategies alone. In this study, we explored how sonification influences AOMI. Twenty-five participants completed a practice block based on AOMI, motor imagery and physical execution of the same action. Participants were divided into two groups: An experimental group that practiced with sonification during AOMI (sAOMI), and a control group, which did not receive any extrinsic feedback. Corticospinal excitability at rest and during action observation and AOMI was assessed before and after practice, with and without sonification sound, to test the development of an audiomotor association. The practice block increased corticospinal excitability in all testing conditions, but sonification did not affect this. In addition, we found no differences in action observation and AOMI, irrespective of sonification. These results suggest that, at least for simple tasks, sonification of AOMI does not influence corticospinal excitability; In these conditions, sonification may have acted as a distractor. Future studies should further explore the relationship between task complexity, value of auditory information and action, to establish whether sAOMI is a valuable for motor learning.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This study was funded by Brunel University London Ph.D Studentship.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Vuckovic, Dr Aleksandra
Creator Roles:
Vuckovic, A.Writing – review and editing
Authors: Castro, F., Bryjka, P. A., Di Pino, G., Vuckovic, A., Nowicky, A., and Bishop, D.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
Journal Name:Brain and Cognition
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0278-2626
ISSN (Online):1090-2147
Published Online:16 June 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 The Authors
First Published:First published in Brain and Cognition 152: 105768
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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