Motor action observation evaluation questionnaire: development and initial validity evidence for the scores in people with and without chronic low back pain
5 affiliations
- 1Programa de Doctorado en Psicología, Escuela de Doctorado, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , ,
- 2Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, National University of Distance Education , ,
- 3Department of Basic Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos , ,
- 4Computer Science Faculty, Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca , ,
- 5Departamento de Psicología Social y Metodología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , ,
Abstract
Introduction
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is highly prevalent and associated with functional limitations. Although action observation is increasingly used as a cognitive-motor rehabilitation strategy, no brief instrument exists to assess how individuals appraise and understand movements during observation.Methods
The Questionnaire for the Assessment of Motor Action Observation (CENOAM) was developed using a sequential mixed-methods design. Phase 1 involved item generation based on literature review and qualitative analysis, followed by expert content validation using Aiken's V. Phase 2 consisted of a cross-sectional study including 280 participants (140 with CLBP and 140 asymptomatic). Dimensionality and psychometric properties of the CENOAM scores were examined using exploratory factor analysis, complementary dimensionality methods, internal consistency (α, ω), floor and ceiling effects, concurrent associations, and known-groups comparisons, following COSMIN recommendations.Results
The final seven-item instrument showed a parsimonious two-dimensional structure, comprising Familiarity and Competence-Demand, supported by converging evidence across multiple methods. Internal consistency was high for both total and subscale scores, and no floor or ceiling effects were observed. CENOAM scores were positively associated with motor imagery ability, physical activity, and pain self-efficacy, and negatively associated with fear of movement. Participants with CLBP showed significantly lower scores than asymptomatic individuals across all dimensions, with large effect sizes.Conclusion
The CENOAM provides a brief and interpretable measure of movement appraisal during action observation. Its scores show initial evidence of validity and may support the individualization of action-observation-based rehabilitation in musculoskeletal conditions.
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BibTeX
@article{touche2026motor,
title = {{Motor action observation evaluation questionnaire: development and initial validity evidence for the scores in people with and without chronic low back pain}},
author = {Roy La Touche and Prado Silván-Ferrero and Encarnación Nouvilas-Pallejá and Alba Paris-Alemany and Alfonso J. López-Rivero and Miguel A. Sorrel},
journal = {Frontiers in psychology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1887879},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13716616},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Motor action observation evaluation questionnaire: development and initial validity evidence for the scores in people with and without chronic low back pain
AU - Roy La Touche
AU - Prado Silván-Ferrero
AU - Encarnación Nouvilas-Pallejá
AU - Alba Paris-Alemany
AU - Alfonso J. López-Rivero
AU - Miguel A. Sorrel
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - Frontiers in psychology
DO - 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1887879
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13716616
AB - Introduction Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is highly prevalent and associated with functional limitations. Although action observation is increasingly used as a cognitive-motor rehabilitation strategy, no brief instrument exists to assess how individuals appraise and understand movements during observation.Methods The Questionnaire for the Assessment of Motor Action Observation (CENOAM) was developed using a sequential mixed-methods design. Phase 1 involved item generation based on literature review and qualitative analysis, followed by expert content validation using Aiken's V. Phase 2 consisted of a cross-sectional study including 280 participants (140 with CLBP and 140 asymptomatic). Dimensionality and psychometric properties of the CENOAM scores were examined using exploratory factor analysis, complementary dimensionality methods, internal consistency (α, ω), floor and ceiling effects, concurrent associations, and known-groups comparisons, following COSMIN recommendations.Results The final seven-item instrument showed a parsimonious two-dimensional structure, comprising Familiarity and Competence-Demand, supported by converging evidence across multiple methods. Internal consistency was high for both total and subscale scores, and no floor or ceiling effects were observed. CENOAM scores were positively associated with motor imagery ability, physical activity, and pain self-efficacy, and negatively associated with fear of movement. Participants with CLBP showed significantly lower scores than asymptomatic individuals across all dimensions, with large effect sizes.Conclusion The CENOAM provides a brief and interpretable measure of movement appraisal during action observation. Its scores show initial evidence of validity and may support the individualization of action-observation-based rehabilitation in musculoskeletal conditions.
SN - 1664-1078
ER -