How-to Guide
Delivery protocols, best practices and practical guidance for Action Observation, alternating AO+MI, synchronous AO+MI and Motor Imagery. The delivery wording accommodates different practice settings and populations.
Delivery protocol
Synchronous AO+MI
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1
Watch First
After checking that the person can both observe and imagine, demonstrate the selected movement and ask them simply to watch.
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2
Watch and Do
Where the person is able and movement is appropriate, repeat the demonstration and ask them to perform the same action in time with it.
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3
Watch and Imagine
Demonstrate again. This time, ask the person to remain still and imagine performing the action while watching, keeping their imagined movement in time with the demonstration.
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4
Reinforce the Feeling and Timing
Use simple cues: “Imagine the feeling as if you are moving” and “Imagine moving in time with what you see.”
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5
Repeat and Add Physical Execution
Repeat until the person understands and engages with the technique. Once established, alternate synchronous AO+MI with physical execution of the task where possible and appropriate.
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6
Progress the Task
Introduce gradually more challenging actions while maintaining alignment between the observed and imagined movement.
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7
Monitor and Adapt
Check imagery vividness and synchrony. Adjust pacing and cues, or switch between synchronous and alternating AO+MI according to the person’s abilities, preferences and feedback.
Best practices
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Build Familiarity Gradually
Introduce watching first, then watching while moving where possible and appropriate, before watching while imagining without movement.
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Keep Imagery in Time
Use the demonstration to guide the shape and speed of the imagined action, maintaining synchrony throughout.
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Emphasise the Feeling of Movement
Encourage the person to imagine the action as their own, including how the relevant parts of their body would feel while moving.
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Check Synchrony and Vividness
Ask about the person’s imagery experience; adjust pacing and cues or switch to alternating AO+MI when needed.
In practice
Live or Recorded Movement
- Use a live demonstration or video that provides a continuous guide to the action’s shape and speed.
Personalised Videos
- Record relevant actions for repeat use, selecting a viewing angle that makes the movement easy to follow.
Imagine While Watching
- Imagine performing the observed action at the same time, without physically moving during this stage.
Match Timing and Feeling
- Keep the imagined movement in time with the demonstration and focus on how performing it would feel.
Use Watch and Do for Familiarisation
- Where movement is possible and appropriate, practise moving with the demonstration before introducing watching while imagining.
Alternate with Execution
- Once the technique is understood, alternate synchronous AO+MI with physical execution of the same task where possible.
Check Alignment
- Ask whether the person can imagine themselves moving while watching and maintain the demonstration’s timing.
Adjust the Challenge
- Adapt pacing and cues, increase task complexity gradually, or use alternating AO+MI if maintaining synchrony is difficult.