The effect of combining motor imagery and electrical stimulation on improving performance in a force tracking task
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate whether combining motor imagery (MI) and peripheral electrical stimulation (ES) enhances motor performance more effectively than MI alone, as literature on this is lacking. METHODS: Participants executed a wrist flexion tracking task with performance measured by error areas pre-practice, immediately post-practice (Post1), and 20 min post-practice (Post2). ES was applied at two intensities: above the motor threshold (ES-MT) and below the motor threshold but above the sensory threshold (ES-ST). In Experiment 1, 29 healthy participants were assigned to six conditions (MI + ES-MT, MI + ES-ST, MI alone, ES-MT, ES-ST, and control), completing 150 practice trials to evaluate the MI + ES effects. Experiment 2 involved 52 healthy participants across four conditions (MI + ES-ST, MI alone, motor execution, and control), extending task difficulty and reducing trials to 100 for an equivalent practice duration, further investigating MI + ES-ST. RESULTS: In Experiment 1, a significant interaction between practice and condition was found (p = 0.019). Post-hoc analysis revealed that while all practice groups showed reduced error from Pre to Post1 and Post2, only the MI and MI + ES-ST groups demonstrated significant improvements from Post1 to Post2 (all p < 0.05). In Experiment 2, a significant interaction was also found (p < 0.001). The MI + ES-ST condition showed a significant decrease in error from Post1 to Post2, an effect not significant in the MI…
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