Department of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
Behav Brain Res. 2010 Nov 12;213(1):35-41. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2010.04.027. Epub 2010 Apr 28.
Movement observation and imagery are increasingly propagandized for motor rehabilitation. Both observation and imagery are thought to improve motor function through repeated activation of mental motor representations. However, it is unknown what stimulation parameters or imagery conditions are optimal for rehabilitation purposes. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying movement observation and imagery is essential for the optimization of functional outcome using these training conditions. This study systematically assessed the corticospinal excitability during rest, observation, imagery and execution of a simple and a complex finger-tapping sequence in healthy controls using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Observation was conducted passively (without prior instructions) as well as actively (in order to imitate). Imagery was performed visually and kinesthetically. A larger increase in corticospinal excitability was found during active observation in comparison with passive observation and visual or kinesthetic imagery. No significant difference between kinesthetic and visual imagery was found. Overall, the complex task led to a higher corticospinal excitability in comparison with the simple task. In conclusion, the corticospinal excitability was modulated during both movement observation and imagery. Specifically, active observation of a complex motor task resulted in increased corticospinal excitability. Active observation may be more effective than imagery for motor rehabilitation purposes. In addition, the activation of mental motor representations may be optimized by varying task-complexity.
运动观察和意象在运动康复中越来越受到重视。观察和意象都被认为可以通过反复激活心理运动表象来改善运动功能。然而，对于康复目的而言，尚不清楚什么刺激参数或意象条件是最佳的。更好地理解运动观察和意象的机制对于利用这些训练条件优化功能结果至关重要。本研究使用经颅磁刺激（TMS）在健康对照者中系统评估了静息、观察、意象和执行简单及复杂手指敲击序列期间的皮质脊髓兴奋性。观察是被动进行的（无事先指示），也可以主动进行（以模仿）。视觉和动觉意象都是通过视觉进行的。与被动观察和视觉或动觉意象相比，主动观察时皮质脊髓兴奋性的增加更大。动觉和视觉意象之间没有发现显著差异。总体而言，与简单任务相比，复杂任务会导致皮质脊髓兴奋性更高。总之，运动观察和意象过程中皮质脊髓兴奋性发生了调制。具体来说，复杂运动任务的主动观察会导致皮质脊髓兴奋性增加。主动观察可能比意象对于运动康复目的更有效。此外，通过改变任务复杂性，可以优化心理运动表象的激活。
