Action Observation and Motor Imagery Induced Hypoalgesia in Asymptomatic Subjects

Action Observation and Motor Imagery Induced Hypoalgesia in Asymptomatic Subjects

This study evaluates the influence of motor imagery and the observation of actions on pain perception. Participants in this study are asymptomatic subjects who will perform an IM and AO protocol of an aerobic exercise.

Motor Imagery (MI) is defined as a dynamic mental process that involves the representation of an action, in an internal way, without its actual motor execution. The Action Observation (AO) evokes an internal, real-time motor simulation of the movements that the observer is perceiving visually. Both mental processes trigger the activation of the neurocognitive mechanisms that underlie the planning and execution of voluntary movements in a manner that resembles how the action is performed in a real manner. The phenomenon of exercise-induced hypoalgesia is well known. This is why it has been suggested that these techniques could produce pain modulation similar to that produced by real exercise.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 18 and 60
• Healthy and with no pain subjects

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any cognitive impairment that hindered viewing of audiovisual material.
• Difficulty understanding or communicating.
• Presence of systemic pathology, Central Nervous System or rheumatic disease.
• Inadequate understanding of the Spanish language to follow instructions for measuring and treatment.
• Collaboration of pregnant women.
• Underage subjects
• Subjects with pain at the time of the study.