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April 13, 2026Brain and CognitionOpen Access

The effect of motor imagery on corticospinal excitability and inhibition in healthy adults: a systematic review

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Authors

JLJeffrey LimJFJackson J. FyfeLOLucas BR Orssatto

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Overview

Systematic review finds motor imagery enhances corticospinal excitability in healthy adults, suggesting its use in motor training.

Key Points

  • This review seeks to evaluate the effects of motor imagery on corticospinal excitability and intracortical inhibition in healthy adults.
  • Conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines.
  • Searched databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE.
  • Included studies using transcranial magnetic stimulation to measure motor evoked potentials and inhibition.
  • Analyzed 105 studies comparing motor imagery with rest.
  • 63 of 70 studies showed increased corticospinal excitability during motor imagery.
  • Post-motor imagery facilitation was noted in 9 out of 16 studies.
  • Motor execution resulted in greater excitability than imagery in 5 of 6 studies.
  • Nine of 16 studies reported reduced inhibition with motor imagery, especially at higher stimulus intensities.
  • Task type and expertise influenced excitability levels during motor imagery.

Cite This Study

Lim et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69dc87983afacbeac03e9ccfhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.bandc.2026.106428
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Effects of finger pinch motor imagery on short-latency afferent inhibition and corticospinal excitability2024
  2. 2Motor Imagery Affects both Cortical and Spinal Circuitry: A Transcranial and Transspinal Magnetic Stimulation Study.2025
  3. 3Effects of Motor Learning on Corticospinal Tract Excitability During Motor Imagery2024
  4. 4Motor imagery perspective shapes corticospinal excitability with effector-specific effects2026
  5. 5Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Improve Motor Cortical Excitability During Motor Imagery2024 · 2 citations