Virtual Reality-Based Motor Imagery for Individuals With Low Imagery Ability: A Pilot Investigation of Isokinetic Strength and Electromyographic Activity

Summary

Motor imagery is a cognitive technique in which individuals mentally rehearse a movement without physically performing it. However, individuals with low imagery ability may not fully benefit from traditional motor imagery training. Virtual reality (VR) may enhance imagery vividness by providing immersive visual feedback. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of immersive VR-based motor imagery, action observation combined with motor imagery, kinesthetic motor imagery alone, and a control condition on imagery ability, muscle strength, and muscle activation. Thirty-two healthy male participants will be assigned to one of four parallel groups based on imagery ability levels. All participants will complete a 4-week unilateral leg extension resistance training program (three sessions per week at 80% of one-repetition maximum). During each session, participants will perform their assigned imagery protocol. Primary outcomes include changes in imagery ability assessed by the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3. Secondary outcomes include isokinetic quadriceps peak torque, average power, and surface electromyography activity of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis muscles. The findings of this study may provide insight into whether immersive VR can enhance the effectiveness of motor imagery training in individuals with low imagery ability.

Conditions

• Motor Imagery Training
• Resistance Training
• Virtual Reality

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Motor Imagery

VR Motor Imagery - Intervention Description Participants perform immersive first-person virtual reality-based motor imagery prior to each training session. The intervention is administered three times per week for 4 weeks before resistance training.

BEHAVIORAL

Action Observation + Motor Imagery

Participants observe a video demonstration of unilateral leg extension while simultaneously performing kinesthetic motor imagery of the movement prior to each resistance training session, three times per week for four weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

Behavioral: Kinesthetic Motor Imagery

Participants perform kinesthetic motor imagery of unilateral leg extension without visual assistance prior to each resistance training session, three times per week for four weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

Relaxation Imagery (Control)

Participants perform relaxation-based imagery unrelated to strength training prior to each resistance training session, three times per week for four weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey

  collaborator OTHER

• Ege University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

35 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-08-12

Primary Completion

2025-12-25

Completion

2026-01-20

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations