Body into Narrative: Behavioral and Neurophysiological Signatures of Action Text Processing After Ecological Motor Training. (15th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cervetto, Sabrina; Birba, Agustina; Pérez, Gonzalo; Amoruso, Lucía; García, Adolfo M.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience. Volume 507(2022)
• Page Start: 52
• Page End: 63
• Publication Date: 2022-12-15
• Subjects: Embodied cognition -- Action concepts -- Exergaming -- Naturalistic texts -- Functional connectivity; AT action text -- EEG electroencephalogram -- FC functional connectivity -- nAT non-action text -- Post-T post-training -- Pre-T pre-training -- T training -- WBB Wii balance board -- wSMI weighted symbolic mutual information; Neurochemistry -- Periodicals; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurochimie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurochemistry; Neurophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.10.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4522

Abstract

Highlights: We examined whether exergaming modulates discourse-level action-verb processing. Exergaming changed processing of action verbs, but not of other word categories. This pattern correlated with reduced fronto-posterior connectivity (∼10–20 Hz). No such patterns were observed following static videogame playing. Ecological body activity may focally affect text-level action concept processing. Abstract: Embodied cognition research indicates that sensorimotor training can influence action concept processing. Yet, most studies employ isolated (pseudo)randomized stimuli and require repetitive single-effector responses, thus lacking ecological validity. Moreover, the neural signatures of these effects remain poorly understood. Here, we examined whether immersive bodily training can modulate behavioral and functional connectivity correlates of action-verb processing in naturalistic narratives. The study involved three phases. First, in the Pre-training phase, 32 healthy persons listened to an action text (rich in movement descriptions) and a non-action text (focused on its characters' perceptual and mental processes), completed comprehension questionnaires, and underwent resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings. Second, in the four-day Training phase, half the participants completed an exergaming intervention (eliciting full-body movements for 60 min a day) while the remaining half played static videogames (requiring no bodily engagement other than button presses). Finally, in the Post-training phase, all participants repeated the Pre-training protocol with different action and non-action texts and a new EEG session. We found that exergaming selectively reduced action-verb outcomes and fronto-posterior functional connectivity in the motor-sensitive ∼ 10–20 Hz range, both patterns being positively correlated. Conversely, static videogame playing yielded no specific effect on any linguistic category and did not modulate functional connectivity. Together, these findings suggest that action-verb processing and key neural correlates can be focally influenced by full-body motor training in a highly ecological setting. Our study illuminates the role of situated experience and sensorimotor circuits in action-concept processing, addressing calls for naturalistic insights on language embodiment.