Yes

but is not exactly the same effect

you can see the effects of virtual reality on brain

Dear Samaneh,

YES and I think the following papers will help you:

Abbruzzese G, Avanzino L, Marchese R, Pelosin E. Action Observation and Motor Imagery: Innovative Cognitive Tools in the Rehabilitation of Parkinson's Disease. Parkinsons Dis 2015;2015:124214. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4606219/pdf/PD2015-124214.pdf

Avanzino L, Gueugneau N, Bisio A, Ruggeri P, Papaxanthis C, Bove M. Motor cortical plasticity induced by motor learning through mental practice. Front Behav Neurosci 2015;9:105. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4412065/pdf/fnbeh-09-00105.pdf

Eaves DL, Riach M, Holmes PS, Wright DJ. Motor Imagery during Action Observation: A Brief Review of Evidence, Theory and Future Research Opportunities. Front Neurosci 2016;10:514. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5116576/pdf/fnins-10-00514.pdf

Asaseh M, Hashemi Azar J, Pishyare E. The effect of motor imagery on the gross motor skills of children with developmental coordination disorder. Bulletin de la Société Royale des Sciences de Liège 2016;85:130-139. http://popups.ulg.ac.be/0037-9565/index.php?id=5478&file=1

Bonassi G, Biggio M, Bisio A, Ruggeri P, Bove M, Avanzino L. Provision of somatosensory inputs during motor imagery enhances learning-induced plasticity in human motor cortex. Sci Rep 2017;7(1):9300. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-09597-0.pdf

Scott M, Taylor S, Chesterton P, Vogt S, Eaves DL. Motor imagery during action observation increases eccentric hamstring force: an acute non-physical intervention. Disabil Rehabil 2017 Mar 21:1-9. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2017.1300333. [Epub ahead of print]. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09638288.2017.1300333?journalCode=idre20

Sobierajewicz J, Przekoracka-Krawczyk A, Jaśkowski W, Verwey WB, van der Lubbe R. The influence of motor imagery on the learning of a fine hand motor skill. Exp Brain Res 2017;235(1):305-320. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00221-016-4794-2

Li RQ, Li ZM, Tan JY, Chen GL, Lin WY. Effects of motor imagery on walking function and balance in patients after stroke: A quantitative synthesis of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2017;28:75-84. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1744388117302049?via%3Dihub

Best wishes from Germany,

Martin

Hello Samaneh,

Answering your question: yes, it can. Discussion on the topic, however, still applies. That subject is related to some principles of motor learning which relate to the fact that thinking about an action can activate, to some extent, the brain networks involved in the actual performance of the movement. That is supported by the Hebbian principle of learning, based upon networks of neurons that wiring and firing together create pathways that are fortified as much stimulated they are, hence the connection with thinking --> pathway stimulation --> better wiring --> somewhat refined output when pathway is used in actual motion. In rehabilitation, the approach called mental practice would be strongly associated to the point brought by your question. To my understanding, you are wondering about the translation of thinking (imagining) into improved motor performance. In that context, I believe you would benefit of reading Ranganathan's paper (From mental power to muscle power—gaining strength by using the mind) published by neuropsycologia back in 2004. All best!

Dear Martin Hofmeister

Thank you so much for your useful papers

Regards

Samaneh

Hi Wagner Souza Silva

Thank you for your clear answer

Best Wishes

Samaneh