Differences in working memory function are associated with motor imagery-induced changes in spinal motor nerve...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Motor Control

Background:

• Motor imagery (MI) effectiveness research often overlooks individual differences.
• Understanding how cognitive factors modulate MI is crucial for optimizing its application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of individual working memory components on motor imagery effectiveness.
• To explore the relationship between cognitive function, finger dexterity, and spinal motor nerve excitability during MI.

Main Methods:

• Forty-six healthy subjects performed Stroop Test (central executive) and reverse chanting (phonological loop).
• Finger dexterity (Purdue Pegboard) and spinal motor nerve excitability (F-wave amplitude F/M ratio) were measured before and during kinesthetic motor imagery.
• Subjects were categorized into 'Good' and 'Poor' cognitive function groups based on performance.

Main Results:

• An interaction was observed between the phonological loop and changes in F-wave amplitude and Peg score.
• Finger dexterity significantly improved post-MI in both groups.
• Spinal motor nerve excitability increased during MI only in the 'Poor' phonological loop group.
• No significant interactions were found concerning the central executive component.

Conclusions:

• Individual differences in the phonological loop, a component of working memory, may influence motor imagery's effects on motor performance and neural excitability.
• The central executive component of working memory does not appear to modulate MI-induced changes in finger dexterity or spinal motor nerve excitability.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms linking phonological loop function to motor imagery outcomes.