Abstract
PurposeThis study aimed to investigate whether oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) generated during a motor imagery (MI) task is associated with the motor learning level of the task.MethodsWe included 16 right-handed healthy participants who were trained to perform a ball rotation (BR) task. Hemodynamic brain activity was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy to monitor changes in oxy-Hb concentration during the BR MI task. The experimental protocol used a block design, and measurements were performed three times before and after the initial training of the BR task as well as after the final training. The BR count during training was also measured. Furthermore, subjective vividness of MI was evaluated three times after NIRS measurement using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).ResultsThe results showed that the number of BRs increased significantly with training (P < 0.001). VAS scores also improved with training (P < 0.001). Furthermore, oxy-Hb concentration and the region of interest (ROI) showed a main effect (P = 0.001). An interaction was confirmed (P < 0.001), and it was ascertained that the change in oxy-Hb concentrations due to training was different for each ROI. The most significant predictor of subjective MI vividness was supplementary motor area (SMA) oxy-Hb concentration (coefficient = 0.365).DiscussionHemodynamic brain activity during MI tasks may be correlated with task motor learning levels, since significant changes in oxy-Hb concentrations were observed following initial and final training in the SMA. In particular, hemodynamic brain activity in the SMA was suggested to reflect the MI vividness of participants.
Highlights
To effectively perform motor imagery (MI), it is important to ensure the vividness of participants’ MI in objective terms
MI is regarded as a method for complementing motion performances due to the exhibition of similar brain activation to that caused by performing motions, which has been reported to change brain plasticity (Ruffino et al, 2017; Li et al, 2018; Yoxon and Welsh, 2019)
The results showed an increase in cerebral hemodynamic change in the right pre-motor area (PMA) and supplementary motor area (SMA), comparable to that observed during exercise
Summary
To effectively perform motor imagery (MI), it is important to ensure the vividness of participants’ MI in objective terms. MI is defined as mental rehearsal in which an individual simulates an objective action within the brain without performing actual motions, and similar brain activation caused by performing motions is observed (Jeannerod, 2001; Kimberley et al, 2006). MI can be executed in patients who have difficulty performing motions, in those with cerebrovascular disease, and it has been reported as an effective method for improving motor function (Page et al, 2001, 2011; Liu et al, 2004; Sharma et al, 2006; Riccio et al, 2010). MI is regarded as a method for complementing motion performances due to the exhibition of similar brain activation to that caused by performing motions, which has been reported to change brain plasticity (Ruffino et al, 2017; Li et al, 2018; Yoxon and Welsh, 2019)
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