Acute Effects of Motor Imagery and Action Observation in the Elderly: Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Acute Effects of Motor Imagery and Action Observation in the Elderly: Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of acute action observation, motor imagery, exercise, and combined exercise training on parameters such as balance, reaction time, flexibility, fear of falling, cognitive status, attention, and memory in older adults.

Previous studies investigating motor imagery and action observation training have examined their long-term effects in both young and older adults. Existing evidence regarding the benefits of exercise training indicates positive effects in both populations. However, the number of studies focusing on the acute effects of motor imagery and action observation training in the literature is very limited. Individuals who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned-using the Research Randomizer application-into five groups: motor imagery, action observation, exercise, combined exercise, and control group. A total of 50 participants, with 10 individuals in each group, will be included in the study. Assessments will be conducted before and after the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being aged 65 years or older, Female gender, Literate in Turkish, Scoring 21 or above on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Version 7.1, No health conditions that would prevent participation in exercise

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of serious health problems that would prevent participation in the study (e.g., trauma, cancer, surgery, severe cardiac or musculoskeletal disorders)

Participation in other intervention trials or observational studies during the intervention period, or initiation of a physical exercise program within 2 weeks following the intervention period

Any medical condition or chronic medication use that may jeopardize safety or affect cognitive functions (e.g., neuroleptics)