Combined action observation and motor imagery influences hand movement amplitude in Parkinson's disease

Bek, Judith and Gowen, Emma and Vogt, Stefan Reinhold and Crawford, Trevor Jeremy and Poliakoff, Ellen (2019) Combined action observation and motor imagery influences hand movement amplitude in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, 61. pp. 126-131. ISSN 1353-8020

[thumbnail of Bek et al PD(accepted1Nov2018)]
Preview
PDF (Bek et al PD(accepted1Nov2018))
Bek_et_al_PD_accepted1Nov2018_.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs.

Download (2MB)

Abstract

Background: Action observation (AO) activates the motor system, influencing movement and increasing learning, and has been shown to improve speed and timing of movement in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Importantly, however, effects on movement amplitude have not been quantitatively demonstrated. Additionally, motor imagery (MI) can increase behavioural and neural effects of AO, but the combined effects of AO+MI have never previously been explored in PD. The aim of this study was to investigate imitation of hand movement amplitude in people with PD following (i) AO and (ii) combined AO+MI. Methods: Twenty-four participants with mild to moderate PD and 24 healthy older adults observed and imitated videos showing a human hand moving between horizontal positions. Kinematics were recorded and modulation of vertical amplitude when replicating elevated vs. direct movements provided an index of imitation. After an initial set of AO trials, participants were instructed to engage in MI during observation for the remaining trials (AO+MI), emphasizing kinaesthetic (sensory) imagery. Results: Movement amplitude was imitated (modulated) for elevated vs. direct stimuli by both groups, and this imitation increased following MI instructions. Conclusions: These results demonstrate quantitatively for the first time that people with PD are able to modulate the amplitude of their hand movements following action observation, and that combining AO and MI increases imitation in PD. The effects parallel findings in healthy young participants, and indicate that combined action observation and motor imagery could be a promising therapeutic approach for PD.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Parkinsonism & Related Disorders
Additional Information:
This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Parkinsonism & Related Disorders. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, 61, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2018.11.001
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2728
Subjects:
?? clinical neurologygeriatrics and gerontologyneurology ??
ID Code:
128742
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
01 Nov 2018 16:06
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
24 Mar 2024 00:53