Article ID: 2026-007
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of adding visual or auditory sensory information to motor imagery on spinal motor neuron excitability and finger dexterity.
Methods: Fifteen healthy adults (8 males, 7 females; mean age: 21 years) participated. F-waves were first recorded at rest. Subsequently, a pinch task requiring participants to adjust their exerted force to 50% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) as accurately and rapidly as possible was administered to evaluate finger dexterity, with adjustment time used as the primary index. Participants then performed motor imagery with either visual or auditory cues, during which F-waves were again measured. Following imagery, the pinch task was repeated for post-intervention assessment.
Results: Both conditions showed increased F-wave persistence and improved task completion times, though no significant differences were found between visual and auditory conditions. No significant differences were observed in imagery vividness scores or F/M amplitude ratios across conditions.
Conclusion: Motor imagery with sensory augmentation may enhance spinal motor neuron excitability and finger dexterity. Although no superiority was observed between visual and auditory input, the findings suggest that both modalities can facilitate neuromotor function. Notably, in clinical settings where visual information is difficult to implement due to environmental or attentional limitations, auditory cues may serve as a viable and practical alternative.
