Effects of finger pinch motor imagery on short-latency afferent inhibition and corticospinal excitability

Abstract

Motor imagery is a cognitive process involving the simulation of motor actions without actual movements. Despite the reported positive effects of motor imagery training on motor function, the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate how sustained tonic finger-pinching motor imagery modulates sensorimotor integration and corticospinal excitability using short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI) and single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) assessments, respectively. Able-bodied individuals participated in the study and assessments were conducted under two experimental conditions in a randomized order between participants: (1) participants performed motor imagery of a pinch task while observing a visual image displayed on a monitor (Motor Imagery), and (2) participants remained at rest with their eyes fixed on the monitor displaying a cross mark (Control). For each condition, sensorimotor integration and corticospinal excitability were evaluated during sustained tonic motor imagery in separate sessions. Sensorimotor integration was assessed by SAI responses, representing inhibition of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in the first dorsal interosseous muscle elicited by TMS following median nerve stimulation. Corticospinal excitability was assessed by MEP responses elicited by single-pulse TMS. There was no significant difference in the magnitude of SAI responses between motor imagery and Control conditions, while MEP responses were significantly facilitated during the Motor Imagery condition compared to the Control condition. These findings suggest that motor imagery facilitates corticospinal excitability, without altering sensorimotor integration, possibly due to insufficient activation of the somatosensory circuits or lack of afferent feedback during sustained tonic motor imagery.