Hand
Conditions
Keywords
Motor imagery, Action observation, Non-dominant hand, Strengthening exercises
Brief summary
Introduction: Motor Imagery (MI) and Action Observation (AO) are well-established cognitive training techniques that activate neural networks similar to those involved in actual motor execution. MI involves the mental rehearsal of a movement without physically performing it, while AO relies on observing an action performed by others to stimulate motor-related brain areas. Recent studies suggest that when these methods are combined, they may enhance motor learning, cortical plasticity, and strength gains more effectively than when applied alone. The non-dominant hand, often less trained and weaker in performance compared to the dominant hand, provides an ideal model to examine the effects of these interventions. Strengthening the non-dominant upper limb has implications not only for improving functional balance between the limbs in healthy individuals but also for potential clinical applications in rehabilitation. Aim: The primary aim of this randomized controlled study is to investigate the combined effect of MI and AO on muscular strength and functional performance of the non-dominant hand in healthy university students. Specifically, the study seeks to compare the outcomes of three groups: (1) AO combined with MI, (2) MI only, and (3) a control group with no intervention. It is hypothesized that participants in the AO+MI group will demonstrate greater improvements in grip strength and functional outcomes compared to the other groups. Evaluation: To comprehensively measure the effects of the intervention, several standardized assessment tools will be employed. Motor imagery ability will be evaluated using the Motor Imagery Questionnaire-3 (MIQ-3). Hand dominance will be determined by the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory. Grip strength will be objectively measured using a Hand Grip Dynamometer. The Recognise App will be used to assess laterality recognition and sensorimotor integration, while overall upper limb function will be measured through the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMMT). These evaluations will be conducted both before and after the 4-week intervention period to track changes. Treatment: The intervention will span four weeks, with participants attending 2-3 sessions per week. Training protocols will include both cognitive and physical components. In the MI group, participants will engage in guided motor imagery sessions focused on visualizing non-dominant hand exercises. The AO+MI group will observe video demonstrations of the same hand movements, followed by simultaneous motor imagery practice, thereby combining visual and cognitive engagement. Physical strengthening exercises will include dumbbell wrist flexion and handball squeeze, targeting key muscles of the non-dominant hand and forearm. The control group will not undergo any intervention during this period. By integrating AO and MI with specific strengthening exercises, the study aims to determine whether this combined approach enhances neural activation and muscular strength more effectively than MI alone.
Interventions
OTHERConservative treatment + Motor imagery program
Participants will perform guided motor imagery of non-dominant hand strengthening exercises (dumbbell wrist flexion and handball squeeze) without video observation, 5 sessions per week for 4 weeks.
OTHERConservative treatment + Motor imagery and action observation program
Participants will observe videos of non-dominant hand strengthening exercises (dumbbell wrist flexion and handball squeeze) and simultaneously perform guided motor imagery of the same movements, 5 sessions per week for 4 weeks.
OTHERConservative treatment via strengthening exercises
Participants will perform only the physical strengthening exercises (dumbbell wrist flexion and handball squeeze) for the non-dominant hand, 5 sessions per week for 4 weeks, without any motor imagery or action observation.
Sponsors
Bahçeşehir University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Age between 18 and 65 years old * They agreed to participate * Having no pathology in hearing and vision * Having no history of upper limb injury or musculoskeletal * Having no neurologic disorders * All subjects had no prior experience with motor imagery * Having a Standardized Mini-Mental State Test (SMMT) score of more than 24 points
Exclusion criteria
* A score of the Movement Imagery Questionnaire (MIQ-3) was less than ≥5 * Severe cognitive deficits * Neurological problems * Left-handedness that was measured using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Handedness was measured using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory | 3 minutes | Handedness was measured using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory, a standardized tool that assesses hand preference in 10 everyday activities (e.g., writing, brushing teeth, using scissors). The Laterality Quotient (LQ) is calculated to determine whether a participant is right-handed, left-handed, or ambidextrous. This measure will be used to identify each participant's dominant and non-dominant hand for the study. |
| Standardized Mini-Mental State Test | 5 minutes | The Standardized Mini-Mental State Test (SMMT) is a 30-point cognitive screening tool assessing orientation, memory, attention, language, and visuospatial skills. Scores below 24 indicate cognitive impairment, while scores of 24-30 are considered normal. In this study, the SMMT was used to evaluate cognitive status, and only participants scoring 24 or higher were included. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Movement Imagery Questionnaire (MIQ-3) | 10 minutes | The Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 (MIQ-3) is a 12-item tool used to assess an individual's ability to imagine movements through kinesthetic, internal visual, and external visual imagery. Participants physically perform and then imagine specific movements, rating the ease of imagery on a 7-point Likert scale. In this study, the MIQ-3 was used to evaluate motor imagery ability. |
| Grip Strength Using a hand grip Dynamometer | 8 minutes | Grip strength, an indicator of upper limb strength and functional capacity, will be measured using a hand grip dynamometer. Participants will sit with the elbow at 90° and wrist in neutral, then squeeze the device maximally for 3-5 seconds. The highest value from 2-3 trials will be recorded as the grip strength score. |
| Recognize lateralization app | 10 minutes | The Recognise Hand App (Noigroup) is used to assess left-right hand discrimination and implicit motor imagery ability. Participants view images of hands in different orientations and identify them as left or right, with response time and accuracy recorded. In this study, the app was used to evaluate laterality recognition of the non-dominant hand. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed