Influence of Motivation Combined With Motor Imagery or Action Observation on Lumbo-Pelvic Strength in Asymptomatic Subjects: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial
Influence of Motivation Combined With Motor Imagery or Action Observation on Lumbo-Pelvic Strength in Asymptomatic Subjects: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial
This pilot randomized controlled trial investigated the influence of motivation combined with motor imagery (MI) or action observation (AO) on lumbo-pelvic strength in asymptomatic adults. The purpose was to explore whether adding a motivational protocol to mental practice strategies could enhance strength outcomes.
Forty healthy participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: motor imagery (MI), action observation (AO), motor imagery with motivation (MIm), or action observation with motivation (AOm). Lumbo-pelvic strength was measured using a dynamometer, while imagery ability was evaluated with the revised Movement Imagery Questionnaire (MIQ-R). Assessments were performed at baseline and post-intervention, with strength additionally measured pre-, intra-, and post-intervention.
The trial was conducted between September 2022 and June 2023 at Centro de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Madrid, Spain, during the investigator's student affiliation. This study is being registered retrospectively to meet ethical and publication requirements.
Mental practice strategies such as motor imagery (MI) and action observation (AO) are increasingly applied in both sports and rehabilitation contexts to enhance motor learning, strength, and functional outcomes. These techniques activate neural circuits that overlap with those involved in actual movement execution and have been shown to produce both neurophysiological and performance-related changes. Motivation, an important factor in motor performance, may further influence the effectiveness of MI and AO, but its specific contribution remains unclear.
This pilot randomized controlled trial was designed to provide preliminary evidence regarding the effect of motivation combined with MI or AO on lumbo-pelvic strength in asymptomatic adults. The trial included 40 participants randomly assigned to one of four groups: MI, AO, MI with motivation, and AO with motivation. Interventions were delivered online over four weeks, with strength and imagery ability assessed at multiple time points.
The study was conducted at Centro de Estudios Universitarios La Salle (Madrid, Spain) between September 2022 and June 2023. This record is submitted retrospectively to comply with ethical and publication requirements.
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