The activation of the mirror neuron system during action observation and action execution with mirror visual feedback in stroke : a systematic review

Jack J. Q. Zhang, Kenneth N. K. Fong, Nandana Welage, Karen P. Y. Liu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the concurrent and training effects of action observation (AO) and action execution with mirror visual feedback (MVF) on the activation of the mirror neuron system (MNS) and its relationship with the activation of the motor cortex in stroke individuals. Methods. A literature search using CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Medline, Web of Science, and SCOPUS to find relevant studies was performed. Results. A total of 19 articles were included. Two functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies reported that MVF could activate the ipsilesional primary motor cortex as well as the MNS in stroke individuals, whereas two other fMRI studies found that the MNS was not activated by MVF in stroke individuals. Two clinical trials reported that long-term action execution with MVF induced a shift of activation toward the ipsilesional hemisphere. Five fMRI studies showed that AO activated the MNS, of which, three found the activation of movement-related areas. Five electroencephalography (EEG) studies demonstrated that AO or MVF enhanced mu suppression over the sensorimotor cortex. Conclusions. MVF may contribute to stroke recovery by revising the interhemispheric imbalance caused by stroke due to the activation of the MNS. AO may also promote motor relearning in stroke individuals by activating the MNS and motor cortex.
Original languageEnglish
Article number2321045
Number of pages14
JournalNeural Plasticity
Volume2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Open Access - Access Right Statement

Copyright © 2018 Jack J. Q. Zhang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Keywords

  • cerebrovascular disease
  • mirror neurons
  • motor cortex
  • stroke
  • systematic reviews (medical research)
  • treatment

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