Can action observation modulate balance performance in healthy subjects?

Roberto Gatti, Elisabetta Sarasso, Mattia Pelachin, Federica Agosta, Massimo Filippi, Andrea Tettamanti, Roberto Gatti, Elisabetta Sarasso, Mattia Pelachin, Federica Agosta, Massimo Filippi, Andrea Tettamanti

Abstract

Background: Action observation activates brain motor networks and, if followed by action imitation, it facilitates motor learning and functional recovery in patients with both neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. To date, few studies suggested that action observation plus imitation can improve balance skills; however, it is still unclear whether the simple repetitive observation of challenging balance tasks is enough to modify postural control. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to investigate whether repetitive action observation of balance exercises without imitation has the potential to improve balance performance; the secondary aim was to estimate the different training effects of action observation, action observation plus imitation and balance training relative to a control condition in healthy subjects.

Methods: Seventy-nine healthy young adults were randomly assigned to 4 groups: action observation, action observation plus imitation, balance training and control. The first three groups were trained for about 30 minutes every day for three weeks, whereas the control group received no training. Center of pressure path length and sway area were evaluated on a force platform at baseline and after training using posturographic tests with eyes open and closed.

Results: As expected, both action observation plus imitation and balance training groups compared to the control group showed balance improvements, with a medium to large effect size performing balance tasks with eyes open. Action observation without imitation group showed a balance improvement with eyes open, but without a significant difference relative to the control group.

Conclusions: Both action observation plus imitation and balance training have similar effects in improving postural control in healthy young subjects. Future studies on patients with postural instability are necessary to clarify whether AOT can induce longer lasting effects. Action observation alone showed a trend toward improving postural control in healthy subjects, suggesting the possibility to study its effects in temporarily immobilized diseased subjects.

Keywords: Action observation; Action observation training; Balance; Postural control.

Conflict of interest statement

The work described has been carried out in accordance with The Code of Ethics of the World Medical Association (Declaration of Helsinki) for experiments involving humans; informed consent was obtained from all subjects.Not applicable.The authors declare that they have no competing interests and received no financial support.Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The figure shows three examples of balance exercises performed by balance training (BT) and action observation training (AOT) groups
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The figure shows the effect size of each training on Center of Pressure (CoP) Sway Path Length during eyes open (a) and eyes closed (b) balance tests

References

    1. Patel M. Action observation in the modification of postural sway and gait: theory and use in rehabilitation. Gait Posture. 2017;58:115–120. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.07.113.
    1. Rizzolatti G, Craighero L. The mirror-neuron system. Annu Rev Neurosci. 2004;27:169–192. doi: 10.1146/annurev.neuro.27.070203.144230.
    1. Buccino G, et al. Neural circuits underlying imitation learning of hand actions: an event-related fMRI study. Neuron. 2004;42(2):323–334. doi: 10.1016/S0896-6273(04)00181-3.
    1. Vogt S, et al. Prefrontal involvement in imitation learning of hand actions: effects of practice and expertise. Neuroimage. 2007;37(4):1371–1383. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2007.07.005.
    1. Jeannerod M. Neural simulation of action: a unifying mechanism for motor cognition. Neuroimage. 2001;14(1 Pt 2):S103–S109. doi: 10.1006/nimg.2001.0832.
    1. Rizzolatti G, Sinigaglia C. The functional role of the parieto-frontal mirror circuit: interpretations and misinterpretations. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2010;11(4):264–274. doi: 10.1038/nrn2805.
    1. Jeannerod M. The origin of voluntary action: history of a physiological concept. C R Biol. 2006;329(5–6):354–362. doi: 10.1016/j.crvi.2006.03.017.
    1. Sarasso E, et al. Action observation training to improve motor function recovery: a systematic review. Arch Physiother. 2015;5:14. doi: 10.1186/s40945-015-0013-x.
    1. Franceschini M, et al. Clinical relevance of action observation in upper-limb stroke rehabilitation: a possible role in recovery of functional dexterity. A randomized clinical trial. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2012;26(5):456–462. doi: 10.1177/1545968311427406.
    1. Agosta F, et al. Brain plasticity in Parkinson's disease with freezing of gait induced by action observation training. J Neurol. 2017;264(1):88–101. doi: 10.1007/s00415-016-8309-7.
    1. Pelosin E, et al. Action observation improves freezing of gait in patients with Parkinson's disease. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2010;24(8):746–752. doi: 10.1177/1545968310368685.
    1. Kim JY, Kim JM, Ko EY. The effect of the action observation physical training on the upper extremity function in children with cerebral palsy. J Exerc Rehabil. 2014;10(3):176–183. doi: 10.12965/jer.140114.
    1. Bellelli G, et al. Action observation treatment improves recovery of postsurgical orthopedic patients: evidence for a top-down effect? Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2010;91(10):1489–1494. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2010.07.013.
    1. Kim JH, Lee BH. Action observation training for functional activities after stroke: a pilot randomized controlled trial. NeuroRehabilitation. 2013;33(4):565–574.
    1. Park CS, Kang KY. The effects of additional action observational training for functional electrical stimulation treatment on weight bearing, stability and gait velocity of hemiplegic patients. J Phys Ther Sci. 2013;25(9):1173–1175. doi: 10.1589/jpts.25.1173.
    1. Park EC, Hwangbo G. The effects of action observation gait training on the static balance and walking ability of stroke patients. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27(2):341–344. doi: 10.1589/jpts.27.341.
    1. Patel M, et al. Locomotor adaptation is modulated by observing the actions of others. J Neurophysiol. 2015;114(3):1538–1544. doi: 10.1152/jn.00446.2015.
    1. Bhatt T, Pai YC. Can observational training substitute motor training in preventing backward balance loss after an unexpected slip during walking? J Neurophysiol. 2008;99(2):843–852. doi: 10.1152/jn.00720.2007.
    1. Taube W, et al. Non-physical practice improves task performance in an unstable, perturbed environment: motor imagery and observational balance training. Front Hum Neurosci. 2014;8:972. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00972.
    1. Taube W, et al. Brain activity during observation and motor imagery of different balance tasks: an fMRI study. Cortex. 2015;64:102–114. doi: 10.1016/j.cortex.2014.09.022.
    1. Durlak JA. How to select, calculate, and interpret effect sizes. J Pediatr Psychol. 2009;34(9):917–928. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsp004.
    1. Lesinski M, et al. Effects of balance training on balance performance in healthy older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Med. 2015;45(12):1721–1738. doi: 10.1007/s40279-015-0375-y.
    1. O'Shea H, Moran A. Does motor simulation theory explain the cognitive mechanisms underlying motor imagery? A Critical Review. Front Hum Neurosci. 2017;11:72. doi: 10.3389/fncom.2017.00072.
    1. Wolpert DM, Diedrichsen J, Flanagan JR. Principles of sensorimotor learning. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2011;12(12):739–751. doi: 10.1038/nrn3112.
    1. Tia B, et al. Improvement of motor performance by observational training in elderly people. Neurosci Lett. 2010;480(2):138–142. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2010.06.026.
    1. Tia B, et al. Does observation of postural imbalance induce a postural reaction? PLoS One. 2011;6(3):e17799. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017799.
    1. Wade MG, Jones G. The role of vision and spatial orientation in the maintenance of posture. Phys Ther. 1997;77(6):619–628. doi: 10.1093/ptj/77.6.619.
    1. Sturnieks DL, George RS, Lord SR. Balance disorders in the elderly. Neurophysiol Clin. 2008;38(6):467–478. doi: 10.1016/j.neucli.2008.09.001.
    1. Martin KL, et al. Cognitive function modifies the effect of physiological function on the risk of multiple falls--a population-based study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2013;68(9):1091–1097. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glt010.
    1. Caligiore D, et al. Action observation and motor imagery for rehabilitation in Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review and an integrative hypothesis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2017;72:210–222. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.11.005.
    1. Conson M, et al. Action observation improves motor imagery: specific interactions between simulative processes. Exp Brain Res. 2009;199(1):71–81. doi: 10.1007/s00221-009-1974-3.
    1. Lawrence G, Callow N, Roberts R. Watch me if you can: imagery ability moderates observational learning effectiveness. Front Hum Neurosci. 2013;7:522. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00522.
    1. Macuga KL, Frey SH. Neural representations involved in observed, imagined, and imitated actions are dissociable and hierarchically organized. Neuroimage. 2012;59(3):2798–2807. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.09.083.
    1. Villiger M, et al. Enhanced activation of motor execution networks using action observation combined with imagination of lower limb movements. PLoS One. 2013;8(8):e72403. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072403.

Source: PubMed

赞助者和合作者

医疗条件

药物干预

3
订阅