Article
Rehabilitation
Wensi Liu, Zhe Li, Yi Xie, Aiqun He, Daojian Hao, Anqin Dong
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of combined motor imagery and action observation therapy on vascular cognitive impairment. The results suggested that the combination therapy was more effective in improving cognitive function compared to cognitive training and motor imagery + action observation therapy.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Beatrice Rizzi, Christian Nuresi, Claudio Rovacchi, Massimo Bacchini, Federica Savi, Lucia Falco, Luca Schianchi, Augusto Scaglioni, Chiara Ciraci, Cosimo Costantino, Giovanni Buccino
Summary: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of Action Observation Treatment (AOT) and Motor Imagery (MI) cognitive strategies, taken alone or combined, in Parkinson's disease patients.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Elisabetta Sarasso, Federica Agosta, Noemi Piramide, Andrea Gardoni, Elisa Canu, Michela Leocadi, Veronica Castelnovo, Silvia Basaia, Andrea Tettamanti, Maria Antonietta Volonte, Massimo Filippi
Summary: Dual-task gait/balance training combined with action observation training and motor imagery can lead to improved mobility, balance, and executive functions in PD patients with postural instability and gait disorders. This combined training also promotes specific functional reorganization in brain areas involved in motor control, leading to long-lasting effects on dual-task mobility and balance.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Lin Meng, Deyu Wang, Yu Shi, Zhuo Li, Jinghui Zhang, Hanna Lu, Xiaodong Zhu, Dong Ming
Summary: This study investigated the effects of Tai Chi-based action observation training on clinical and brain functional connectivity in early-stage Parkinson's disease patients. The results showed significant increases in FCs in the TC-AOT group, which were positively correlated with improved motor and cognitive performance in patients.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Amit Abraham, Ryan P. Duncan, Gammon M. Earhart
Summary: This paper reviews the impact of PD on motor, sensorimotor, and sensory domains, discusses the potential of mental imagery as an adjunct therapy, and its suitability for addressing gait, balance, and pain deficits in people with PD. Future research directions are suggested.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Elisabetta Sarasso, Andrea Gardoni, Lucia Zenere, Elisa Canu, Silvia Basaia, Elisa Pelosin, Maria Antonietta Volonte, Massimo Filippi, Federica Agosta
Summary: This study aimed to assess the effects of action observation and MI training (AOT-MI) on MI abilities and brain function in PD-PIGD patients. The results showed that AOT-MI improved MI skills in PD-PIGD patients and promoted the functional plasticity of brain areas involved in MI processes and gait/balance control.
PARKINSONISM & RELATED DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chi-Hsian Lin, Frank J. H. Lu, Diane L. Gill, Ken Shih-Kuei Huang, Shu-Ching Wu, Yi-Hsiang Chiu
Summary: Motor imagery and action observation, when combined, can enhance motor performance. This study found that a combination of action observation and motor imagery performed in an asynchronous or progressive manner results in better golf putting performance and learning compared to synchronous combination. Further research is needed to determine the best way to combine action observation and motor imagery.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Naotsugu Kaneko, Atsushi Sasaki, Hikaru Yokoyama, Yohei Masugi, Kimitaka Nakazawa
Summary: This study investigated the effects of a short intervention using action observation combined with motor imagery (AO+MI) of walking on corticospinal and spinal motor neuron excitability and motor imagery ability. The results showed that the intervention did not induce plastic changes at the cortical and spinal levels, but it temporarily increased motor imagery ability.
Review
Rehabilitation
Ampika Nanbancha, Chistopher Mawhinney, Komsak Sinsurin
Summary: This study reviews the application of motor imagery and action observation in the rehabilitation of lower limb injuries. The findings suggest that these techniques can improve clinical outcomes and should be considered as part of standard treatment protocols.
CLINICAL REHABILITATION
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Helen O'Shea
Summary: This study utilizes multidimensional modeling to examine the neurocognitive characteristics of four action-related behaviors. The findings suggest that action execution is most similar to concurrent action observation and motor imagery, while action execution is least similar to action observation. Most action types share similarities in at least one neurocognitive dimension, except for action-related language.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jack Aaron Binks, Jonathan Reyes Emerson, Matthew William Scott, Christopher Wilson, Paul van Schaik, Daniel Lloyd Eaves
Summary: In this study, the effects of combined action observation and motor imagery therapy on upper-limb recovery in chronic stroke survivors were investigated. The results showed that AO + MI therapy significantly reduced movement execution times and improved quality of life. The therapy was also positively received by the participants. Therefore, AO + MI therapy could serve as an effective adjunct for neurorehabilitation in patients who are unable to engage in physical training.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Judith Bek, Emma Gowen, Stefan Vogt, Trevor J. Crawford, Ellen Poliakoff
Summary: Observing human action influences movement aspects like duration or trajectory more strongly than non-biological stimuli, particularly during concurrent imitation. Despite producing slower and smaller movements overall, the PD group showed a similar pattern of imitation to controls across tasks and conditions.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Samantha Chye, Ashika Chembila Valappil, David J. Wright, Cornelia Frank, David A. Shearer, Christopher J. Tyler, Ceri E. Diss, Omar S. Mian, Neale A. Tillin, Adam M. Bruton
Summary: Motor simulation interventions involving AOMI have a positive effect on corticospinal excitability and motor skill performance, but no effect on MI. These results are important for the existing literature on motor simulation and skill acquisition.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Judith Bek, Paul S. Holmes, Chesney E. Craig, Zoe C. Franklin, Matthew Sullivan, Jordan Webb, Trevor J. Crawford, Stefan Vogt, Emma Gowen, Ellen Poliakoff
Summary: This study described the development and pilot testing of an intervention combining AO + MI and physical practice to improve functional manual actions in people with PD. The results provided preliminary evidence of the feasibility and usability of the intervention plan, suggesting that larger trials should be conducted in the future to test the performance of manual actions.
PARKINSONS DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Muhammad Kashif, Ashfaq Ahmad, Muhammad Ali Mohseni Bandpei, Syed Amir Gilani, Asif Hanif, Humaira Iram
Summary: This study suggests that combining virtual reality and motor imagery techniques with routine physical therapy can significantly improve motor function, balance, and activities of daily living in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Article
Neurosciences
Marianna Semprini, Gaia Bonassi, Federico Barban, Elisa Pelosin, Riccardo Iandolo, Michela Chiappalone, Dante Mantini, Laura Avanzino
Summary: This study used high-density electroencephalography (hdEEG) and source localization to investigate neural oscillations associated with working memory (WM) update, maintenance, and readout. Specific spectral signatures were found in different stages of WM tasks, demonstrating relatively high spatial resolution in neural activity.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Ambra Bisio, Monica Biggio, Patrizio Canepa, Emanuela Faelli, Piero Ruggeri, Laura Avanzino, Marco Bove
Summary: Action observation combined with proprioceptive stimulation induces a kinesthetic illusion of movement and leads to increased excitability in the primary motor cortex (M1), with effects lasting up to 60 minutes. The study found a significant positive correlation between changes in M1 excitability during and after the AO-KI process, suggesting that M1 response during AO-KI may serve as a marker for individual responsiveness to the combined stimulation.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Rehabilitation
Stefania Costi, Maria Cristina Filippi, Luca Braglia, Laura Beccani, Isabella Corradi, Elena Bruzzi, Chiara Signorelli, Elisa Pelosin
Summary: The study found that the ASKp has good internal consistency in Italian children with cerebral palsy and can differentiate between children of different ages, clinical manifestations, intellectual disability, and use of assistive devices.
DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Oscar Crisafulli, Carlo Trompetto, Luca Puce, Lucio Marinelli, Stefania Costi, Giovanni Abbruzzese, Laura Avanzino, Elisa Pelosin
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the differences in complex walking tasks and balance performance in patients with CD. The results show that CD patients exhibit significantly impaired gait parameters, which may be related to a decrease in balance performance.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Tiziana Lencioni, Chiara Ponte, Carola Cosentino, Susanna Mezzarobba, Ilaria Carpinella, Maurizio Ferrarin, Laura Avanzino, Giovanna Lagravinese, Elisa Pelosin
Summary: The study found that music, especially fear-inducing music, has a significant impact on the performance of visual-spatial learning tasks in both PD patients and ELD individuals. PD patients were slower and performed worse in learning compared to ELD, indicating an impairment in visual-spatial learning in PD.
PARKINSONISM & RELATED DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Mingqi Zhao, Gaia Bonassi, Jessica Samogin, Gaia Amaranta Taberna, Elisa Pelosin, Alice Nieuwboer, Laura Avanzino, Dante Mantini
Summary: Balance and walking are fundamental to support daily activities. This study investigated the neural processes underlying gait control using high-density electroencephalography (hdEEG) and ankle acceleration data. The results showed that the primary sensorimotor cortex (M1) plays a key role in gait modulation, with involvement of premotor cortex, thalamus, and cerebellum. Additionally, there were interactions between frequency band and gait phase in premotor cortex and thalamus. The findings suggest that hdEEG-based electrophysiological source imaging can be used to investigate dynamic neural processes of gait control.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Giovanna Lagravinese, Ambra Bisio, Marco Bove, Alessandro Botta, Gaia Bonassi, Roberta Marchese, Piero Ruggeri, Elisa Pelosin, Laura Avanzino
Summary: The study found that individuals with Parkinson's disease showed reduced motor resonance to disgust-inducing emotional contexts compared to healthy individuals, suggesting a deficit in translating aversive emotional states into physiological responses. However, their responsiveness to sadness-inducing emotional contexts was similar to that of healthy individuals.
BEHAVIOURAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
O. Crisafulli, E. Ravizzotti, S. Mezzarobba, C. Cosentino, G. Bonassi, A. Botta, G. Abbruzzese, R. Marchese, L. Avanzino, E. Pelosin
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the behavior of patients with cervical dystonia (CD) during blindfolded walking by relying on somatosensory and vestibular information. The results showed that CD patients had difficulty in walking straight without visual input, suggesting a general proprioceptive impairment in CD patients.
NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Marcello Mario Mascia, Daniele Belvisi, Marcello Esposito, Roberta Pellicciari, Assunta Trinchillo, Carmen Terranova, Salvatore Bertino, Laura Avanzino, Francesca Di Biasio, Francesco Bono, Vincenzo Laterza, Christian Lettieri, Roberto Eleopra, Giovanni Fabbrini, Pierangelo Barbero, Laura Bertolasi, Maria Concetta Altavista, Roberto Erro, Roberto Ceravolo, Anna Castagna, Maurizio Zibetti, Anna Rita Bentivoglio, Giovanni Cossu, Luca Magistrelli, Cesa Scaglione, Alberto Albanese, Maria Sofia Cotelli, Salvatore Misceo, Antonio Pisani, Tommaso Schirinzi, Luca Maderna, Giovanna Squintani, Alfredo Berardelli, Giovanni Defazio
Summary: The study found that cerebrovascular risk factors may be associated with specific features of idiopathic adult onset dystonia, such as blepharospasm and sensory trick.
PARKINSONISM & RELATED DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Alessandro Botta, Mingqi Zhao, Jessica Samogin, Elisa Pelosin, Gaia Bonassi, Giovanna Lagravinese, Dante Mantini, Alessio Avenanti, Laura Avanzino
Summary: Using high-density electroencephalography (hd-EEG), this study found that the processing of fearful emotional body language (EBL) activates somatosensory areas early on and suppresses motor activity in healthy individuals. These findings provide high-temporal resolution evidence of the interplay between somatosensory and motor areas during the observation of EBL, shedding light on the sensorimotor mechanism supporting freezing behavior.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Edoardo Monfrini, Laura Avanzino, Giovanni Palermo, Giulia Bonato, Gloria Brescia, Roberto Ceravolo, Giovanna Cantarella, Paola Mandich, Holger Prokisch, Karin Storm Vans Gravesande, Giulia Straccia, Antonio Elia, Chiara Reale, Celeste Panteghini, Giovanna Zorzi, Roberto Eleopra, Roberto Erro, Miryam Carecchio, Barbara Garavaglia, Michael Zech, Luigi Romito, Alessio Di Fonzo
Summary: This case collection expands the genetic and clinical spectrum of VPS16-related disease, prompting movement disorder specialists to suspect mutations of this gene not only in patients with isolated dystonia.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Gaia Bonassi, Marianna Semprini, Paola Mandich, Lucia Trevisan, Roberta Marchese, Giovanna Lagravinese, Federico Barban, Elisa Pelosin, Michela Chiappalone, Dante Mantini, Laura Avanzino
Summary: Using high-density electroencephalography, we found decreased modulation of neural oscillations in early symptomatic HD and pre-HD, even though the dynamics of modulation were preserved.