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

NCT07155655 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: MMR2023PilotRCT
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Healthy Volunteers; Muscle Strength

Keywords

Motor imagery; Action observation; Motivation; Lumbo-pelvic strength; Pilot trial.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Lumbo-pelvic strength

  Maximal voluntary contraction of lumbo-pelvic muscles assessed using a dynamometer. Strength was recorded at three time points: baseline, mid-intervention (fourth teletraining session, Week 2), and post-intervention (Week 4, end of program).

  Baseline (Day 1), Mid-intervention (Week 2), and Post-intervention (Week 4, end of program)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Fear of Movement

  Baseline and post-intervention (4 weeks)

• Physical activity

  Baseline and post-intervention (4 weeks)

• Self-Efficacy for Physical Activity

  Baseline and post-intervention (4 weeks)

• Motor Imagery Ability - Visual and Kinaesthetic

  Baseline and post-intervention (4 weeks)

Study Arms (4)

Motor Imagery (MI)

EXPERIMENTAL

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

Behavioral: Motor Imagery (MI)

Action Observation (AO)

EXPERIMENTAL

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

Behavioral: Action Observation (AO)

Motor Imagery With Motivation (MIm)

EXPERIMENTAL

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

Behavioral: Motor Imagery with Motivation (MIm)

Action Observation With Motivation (AOm)

EXPERIMENTAL

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

Behavioral: Action Observation with Motivation (AOm)

Interventions

Motor Imagery (MI) 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.

Also known as: Mental imagery

Motor Imagery (MI)

Action Observation (AO) 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.

Also known as: Observation training

Action Observation (AO)

Motor Imagery with Motivation (MIm) 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.

Motor Imagery With Motivation (MIm)

Action Observation with Motivation (AOm) 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.

Action Observation With Motivation (AOm)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Mateo Riera Marco: lead

Study Sites (1)

Centro Universitario La Salle - Madrid

Madrid, Madrid, 28023, Spain

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Independent Researcher Sponsor-Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 19, 2025
• First Posted: September 4, 2025
• Study Start: September 18, 2022
• Primary Completion: May 25, 2023
• Study Completion: June 3, 2023
• Last Updated: September 4, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Locations

ES (1)