Influence of Motivation and Mental Practice on Lumbo-Pelvic Strength in Healthy Adults

NCT ID: NCT07155655

Last Updated: 2025-09-04

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 40 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2022-09-18
• Study Completion Date: 2023-06-03

Brief Summary

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.

Detailed Description

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.

Conditions

Healthy Volunteers; Muscle Strength

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Motor Imagery (MI)

Ten asymptomatic participants assigned to a motor imagery training protocol, performed twice weekly for four weeks.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Motor Imagery (MI)

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Participants followed an audio-guided motor imagery protocol describing the lumbopelvic dynamometer movement. The audio was played three times per session, with pauses for visualization. Training was delivered online via Microsoft Teams, twice weekly for four weeks, in a quiet and focused environment.

Action Observation (AO)

Ten asymptomatic participants assigned to an action observation training protocol, performed twice weekly for four weeks.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Action Observation (AO)

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Participants viewed three videos of the lumbopelvic dynamometer movement (two third-person, one first-person perspective). Each video was watched three times per session. Training was delivered online via Microsoft Teams, twice weekly for four weeks, with participants instructed to remain silent and focused.

Motor Imagery With Motivation (MIm)

Ten asymptomatic participants assigned to motor imagery training combined with a motivational protocol, performed twice weekly for four weeks.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Motor Imagery with Motivation (MIm)

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Participants followed the MI protocol, combined with a motivational strategy. Intrinsic motivation was provided through self-talk statements, and extrinsic motivation through an audio simulating a weightlifting competition. Each motivational audio was played three times per session. Training was delivered online via Microsoft Teams, twice weekly for four weeks.

Action Observation With Motivation (AOm)

Ten asymptomatic participants assigned to action observation training combined with a motivational protocol, performed twice weekly for four weeks.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Action Observation with Motivation (AOm)

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Participants followed the AO protocol, combined with the same motivational strategy described for the MIm group (self-talk + extrinsic audio simulation). Each motivational audio was played three times per session. Training was delivered online via Microsoft Teams, twice weekly for four weeks.

Interventions

Motor Imagery (MI)

Participants followed an audio-guided motor imagery protocol describing the lumbopelvic dynamometer movement. The audio was played three times per session, with pauses for visualization. Training was delivered online via Microsoft Teams, twice weekly for four weeks, in a quiet and focused environment.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Action Observation (AO)

Participants viewed three videos of the lumbopelvic dynamometer movement (two third-person, one first-person perspective). Each video was watched three times per session. Training was delivered online via Microsoft Teams, twice weekly for four weeks, with participants instructed to remain silent and focused.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Motor Imagery with Motivation (MIm)

Participants followed the MI protocol, combined with a motivational strategy. Intrinsic motivation was provided through self-talk statements, and extrinsic motivation through an audio simulating a weightlifting competition. Each motivational audio was played three times per session. Training was delivered online via Microsoft Teams, twice weekly for four weeks.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Action Observation with Motivation (AOm)

Participants followed the AO protocol, combined with the same motivational strategy described for the MIm group (self-talk + extrinsic audio simulation). Each motivational audio was played three times per session. Training was delivered online via Microsoft Teams, twice weekly for four weeks.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

Mental imagery; Observation training

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Asymptomatic male and female participants
• Aged between 18 and 65 years
• No musculoskeletal, systemic, neurological, cognitive, or psychological disorders affecting the lumbopelvic area

Exclusion Criteria

• Students enrolled in bioscience-related degrees beyond their first year
• History of pathology or surgery involving the lower limb or lumbar spine
• Lumbopelvic or lower limb pain within the past three months
• Illiteracy
• Pregnant women or those who suspected pregnancy

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Mateo Riera Marco

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Mateo Riera Marco

Independent Researcher _ Sponsor-Investigator

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Centro Universitario La Salle - Madrid

Madrid, Madrid, Spain

Countries

Spain

Other Identifiers

MMR2023PilotRCT

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id