Motor control

Psychological intervention

Quantum mechanics

Cognitive psychology

Philosophy

Neuroscience

Motor skill

Psychiatry

Stimulation

Brain–computer interface

Motor system

Physics

Movement (music)

Aesthetics

Psychology

Transcranial magnetic stimulation

Meta-analysis

Internal medicine

Movement control

Electroencephalography

Medicine

Physical medicine and rehabilitation

Action (physics)

Motor imagery

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

Motor simulation interventions involving motor imagery (MI) and action observation (AO) have received considerable interest in the behavioral sciences. A growing body of research has focused on using AO and MI simultaneously, termed ‘combined action observation and motor imagery’ (AOMI). The current paper includes two meta-analyses that quantify changes in corticospinal excitability and motor skill performance for AOMI compared to AO, MI and control conditions. Specifically, the first meta-analysis collated and synthesized existing motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude data from transcranial magnetic stimulation studies and the second meta-analysis collated and synthesized existing movement outcome data from behavioral studies. AOMI had a positive effect compared to control and AO but not MI conditions for both MEP amplitudes and movement outcomes. No methodological factors moderated the effects of AOMI, indicating a robust effect of AOMI across the two outcome variables. The results of the meta-analyses are discussed in relation to existing literature on motor simulation and skill acquisition, before providing viable directions for future research on this topic.

The effects of combined action observation and motor imagery on corticospinal excitability and movement outcomes: Two meta-analyses