Effects Of Motor Imagery Research Articles

Effects of Virtual Reality with Motor Imagery Techniques in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurological disorders, of insidious onset, with major motor symptomatology including bradykinesia, rest tremor, rigidity, and postural disturbances. Virtual reality (VR) and motor imagery (MI) are among the more innovative techniques for the rehabilitation of patients with PD which promote motor learning both through explicit and implicit processes. This study is unique in that it will examine the combined effects of VR and MI on motor function, balance and activities of daily living (ADLs) in patients with PD. Objective: The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of VR with MI techniques in addition to routine physical therapy on motor function, balance, and ADLs in patients with PD. Methods: This is a two-armed parallel design, single-blinded (assessor blinded), single-centered, randomized controlled trial, and the study protocol is based on SPIRIT guidelines. Thirty-four patients with PD (Modified Hoehn and Yahr stages I–III) will be randomly allocated with a 1:1 ratio into Group A (control group) and Group B (treatment group). Group A will be given routine physical therapy in 40-min sessions and 20 min of walking and cycling with a short period of rest, every alternate day (3 days per week) for 12 weeks, while for Group B routine physical therapy protocols along with VR and MI will be used in 60-min sessions, every alternate day (3 days per week) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measures are as follows: (i) the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS; part III), (ii) the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC). The secondary outcome measure is the UPDRS (part II). Assessments will be recorded at baseline, the sixth and twelfth weeks of therapy, and 1 month after the discontinuation of therapy. Clinical Study Registration: This randomized controlled prospective study was registered with the Iranian Registry of clinical trials (IRCT20200221046567N1) on April 1, 2020 (https://www.irct.ir/trial/46073).

Motor imagery for gait rehabilitation after stroke.

Motor imagery (MI) is defined as a mentally rehearsed task in which movement is imagined but is not performed. The approach includes repetitive imagined body movements or rehearsing imagined acts to improve motor performance. To assess the treatment effects of MI for enhancing ability to walk among people following stroke. We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group registry, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and seven other databases. We also searched trial registries and reference lists. The last searches were conducted on 24 February 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using MI alone or associated with action observation or physical practice to improve gait in individuals after stroke. The critical outcome was the ability to walk, assessed using either a continuous variable (walking speed) or a dichotomous variable (dependence on personal assistance). Important outcomes included walking endurance, motor function, functional mobility, and adverse events. Two review authors independently selected the trials according to pre-defined inclusion criteria, extracted the data, assessed the risk of bias, and applied the GRADE approach to evaluate the certainty of the evidence. The review authors contacted the study authors for clarification and missing data. We included 21 studies, involving a total of 762 participants. Participants were in the acute, subacute, or chronic stages of stroke, and had a mean age ranging from 50 to 78 years. All participants presented at least some gait deficit. All studies compared MI training versus other therapies. Most of the included studies used MI associated with physical practice in the experimental groups. The treatment time for the experimental groups ranged from two to eight weeks. There was a high risk of bias for at least one assessed domain in 20 of the 21 included studies. Regarding our critical outcome, there was very low-certainty evidence that MI was more beneficial for improving gait (walking speed) compared to other therapies at the end of the treatment (pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.44; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06 to 0.81; P = 0.02; six studies; 191 participants; I² = 38%). We did not include the outcome of dependence on personal assistance in the meta-analysis, because only one study provided information regarding the number of participants that became dependent or independent after interventions. For our important outcomes, there was very low-certainty evidence that MI was no more beneficial than other interventions for improving motor function (pooled mean difference (MD) 2.24, 95% CI -1.20 to 5.69; P = 0.20; three studies; 130 participants; I² = 87%) and functional mobility at the end of the treatment (pooled SMD 0.55, 95% CI -0.45 to 1.56; P = 0.09; four studies; 116 participants; I² = 64.2%). No adverse events were observed in those studies that reported this outcome (seven studies). We were unable to pool data regarding walking endurance and all other outcomes at follow-up. We found very low-certainty evidence regarding the short-term benefits of MI on walking speed in individuals who have had a stroke, compared to other therapies. Evidence was insufficient to estimate the effect of MI on the dependence on personal assistance and walking endurance. Compared with other therapies, the evidence indicates that MI does not improve motor function and functional mobility after stroke (very low-certainty evidence). Evidence was also insufficient to estimate the effect of MI on gait, motor function, and functional mobility after stroke compared to placebo or no intervention. Motor Imagery and other therapies used for gait rehabilitation after stroke do not appear to cause significant adverse events.

Effect of motor imagery on enjoyment in knee-injury prevention and rehabilitation training: A randomized crossover study

ObjectivesThe novel MOTor Imagery to Facilitate Sensorimotor Re-Learning (MOTIFS) model takes a uniquely holistic approach by integrating mental and physical aspects into current training programs. The aim of this trial was to evaluate enjoyment of MOTIFS training as compared to Care-as-Usual (CaU) knee injury and/or rehabilitation training. The primary hypothesis was that enjoyment would be greater following MOTIFS training than CaU training. DesignBlock-randomized 2×2 cross-over trial. MethodsThirty athletes (18−31years, 50% women) currently or previously active in team ball sports, with no pain or injury preventing jump and/or directional changes. MOTIFS training integrates sport-specific experiences and equipment into physical exercises to increase individualized realism and meaning. The CaU condition included solely physical exercise. The main outcome was the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). Secondary outcomes included Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM; subscales Valence, Arousal, Dominance), Perceived exertion, pulse, duration, and movement quality. ResultsPACES scores were better following MOTIFS training than CaU (point estimate 24.67; 95% CI: 19.0; 30.3). Between-groups differences in SAM Valence (median 2, quartiles 1;3), Arousal (median 1, quartiles 0;2.25), and Dominance (median 0.5, quartiles 0;2), and RPE (median 1, quartiles −0.3;2), training duration (mean 5.34, 95% CI: −0.17; −0.73), and pulse (median 7.50, quartiles 0.25;16.75) were higher following MOTIFS training than CaU training. ConclusionsResults suggest that the MOTIFS model, which integrates simultaneous physical and psychological interventions, is a clinically plausible method of influencing enjoyment and other psychological outcomes. Further studies may explore effects of the MOTIFS principles on injury prevention and rehabilitation training.

A randomized controlled trial of motor imagery combined with structured progressive circuit class therapy on gait in stroke survivors

Structured Progressive Circuit Class Therapy (SPCCT) was developed based on task-oriented therapy, providing benefits to patients’ motivation and motor function. Training with Motor Imagery (MI) alone can improve gait performance in stroke survivors, but a greater effect may be observed when combined with SPCCT. Health education (HE) is a basic component of stroke rehabilitation and can reduce depression and emotional distress. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of MI with SPCCT against HE with SPCCT on gait in stroke survivors. Two hundred and ninety stroke survivors from 3 hospitals in Yangon, Myanmar enrolled in the study. Of these, 40 stroke survivors who passed the selection criteria were randomized into an experimental (n = 20) or control (n = 20) group. The experimental group received MI training whereas the control group received HE for 25 minutes prior to having the same 65 minutes SPCCT program, with both groups receiving training 3 times a week over 4 weeks. Temporo-spatial gait variables and lower limb muscle strength of the affected side were assessed at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after intervention. After 4 weeks of training, the experimental group showed greater improvement than the control group in all temporospatial gait variables, except for the unaffected step length and step time symmetry which showed no difference. In addition, greater improvements of the affected hip flexor and knee extensor muscle strength were found in the experimental group. In conclusion, a combination of MI with SPCCT provided a greater therapeutic effect on gait and lower limb muscle strengths in stroke survivors.

Commentary on "Effectiveness ofmotor imagery and action observation trainingon musculoskeletal pain intensity:A systematic review and meta-analysis" by Suso-Marti et al.

This journal recently published a paper by Suso-Marti et al.,entitled"Effectiveness ofmotor imagery and action observation trainingon musculoskeletal pain intensity:A systematic review and meta-analysis" (2020). Motor imagery training and action observation training are rehabilitation approaches that involve imagining oneself executing a particular action, and watching actions that are performed by others, respectively. Both are thought to activate similar neural substrates that are responsible for the actual execution of an action (Eaves et al., 2016). Motor imagery and action observation have been used to enhance motor skill performance in several groups - including athletes and musicians who require highly accurate and precise movement for professional performances, and a similar approach has been employed during rehabilitation with variable outcomes in people after stroke, spinal cord injury and persistent pain.

MP34-17 ASSESSMENT OF MENTAL IMAGERY BY NEUROIMAGING FOR SURGICAL DEVELOPMENT: THE MIND TRIAL

You have accessJournal of UrologySurgical Technology & Simulation: Training & Skills Assessment I (MP34)1 Apr 2020MP34-17 ASSESSMENT OF MENTAL IMAGERY BY NEUROIMAGING FOR SURGICAL DEVELOPMENT: THE MIND TRIAL Nicholas Raison*, Michael Hutel, Oliver Brunckhorst, Abdullatif Aydin, Kamran Ahmed, Sebastien Ourselin, and Prokar Dasgupta Nicholas Raison*Nicholas Raison* More articles by this author , Michael HutelMichael Hutel More articles by this author , Oliver BrunckhorstOliver Brunckhorst More articles by this author , Abdullatif AydinAbdullatif Aydin More articles by this author , Kamran AhmedKamran Ahmed More articles by this author , Sebastien OurselinSebastien Ourselin More articles by this author , and Prokar DasguptaProkar Dasgupta More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000000878.017AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Motor imagery (MI) is widely used in the training of elite athletes and during neurorehabilitation. Studies have demonstrated the potential of MI for surgical training but heterogenous results and inconsistent methodologies have limited its uptake. Resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) using fMRI offers a unique opportunity for evaluating motor training effects on neural motor networks. This study aims to evaluate the direct effects of MI of a surgical task on neural functional connectivity. METHODS: 4 intermediate level surgical trainees were recruited and underwent an initial brain fMRI. Functional images of the participants performing MI or motor execution of a simple hand task were acquired to identify key regions of interest. Resting-state fMRI acquisition was then performed. Baseline surgical skills were evaluated using a dry lab laparoscopic suturing test. Performances were videoed for post-hoc assessment. Participants were then taught MI for the laparoscopic suturing task using MI script developed by a cognitive psychologist. After 14 days of independent MI training, resting state fMRI and laparoscopic skills assessments were repeated. Blinded technical skills assessment was performed by an experienced laparoscopic surgeon using GOALS and a validated suturing checklist. RESULTS: 6 regions of interest were identified. Resting state functional connectivity was analysed between all possible pairs of the 6 regions. A significant increase in the connectivity between the prefrontal and frontal regions containing the premotor and motor cortices was seen. Activity between all other clusters remained constant. There were non-significant increases in both medial GOALS and the suturing check list scores following training. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term focussed MI training of laparoscopic suturing resulted in significantly increased connectivity between the prefrontal and frontal cortex alongside improvements in technical performance. These results highlight the potential role of MI for surgical training and support further comparative trials. Source of Funding: Nil © 2020 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 203Issue Supplement 4April 2020Page: e509-e510 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2020 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Nicholas Raison* More articles by this author Michael Hutel More articles by this author Oliver Brunckhorst More articles by this author Abdullatif Aydin More articles by this author Kamran Ahmed More articles by this author Sebastien Ourselin More articles by this author Prokar Dasgupta More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

P47 Effects of motor imagery and anodal transcranial direct current stimulation on motor sequence learning in healthy young adults

P47 Effects of motor imagery and anodal transcranial direct current stimulation on motor sequence learning in healthy young adults

Effect of motor imagery combined with physical practice on upper limb rehabilitation in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Evidence indicates that motor deficits in hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP) impair both motor execution and planning. However, current rehabilitation efforts focus mainly on relieving impairments in motor execution. Motor imagery (MI) is a promising method for stimulating neural networks underlying the planning and control of movements. Evaluate the effectiveness of MI combined with physical practice in improving the function of the upper limbs in children with HCP. Twenty-four participants, aged 7-14 years were divided into two groups: intervention group (IG) and control group (CG). The IG was subjected to MI training and physical practice twice a week for eight consecutive weeks, while the CG received conventional therapy. Participants were assessed with the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow up. The results showed improved motor functions in both groups. Analysis using the general linear model (analysis of covariance) and Bonferroni post hoc tests showed significant improvements from pre-intervention to post-intervention in the AHA for the IG. The CG showed non-significant improvement in AHA scores. These findings suggest that the MI training, combined with the physical practice program used in this study, was effective in improving upper limb function in children with HCP.

Effectiveness of motor imagery and action observation training on musculoskeletal pain intensity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Movement representation techniques such as motor imagery (MI) and action observation (AO) could play an important role in the field of rehabilitation of patients with musculoskeletal pain; however, the effects of these tools on clinical pain remain unclear. Our objective is therefore to develop a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of MI and AO regarding the pain intensity on patients with musculoskeletal pain. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Google Scholar were searched. Last search was run on July 2019. Meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effectiveness on pain intensity in patients with post-surgical pain or chronic pain, and GRADE was used to rate the quality, certainty and applicability of the evidence. A total of 10 studies were included. AO or MI were compared versus usual rehabilitation care. The meta-analysis showed statistically significant differences in MI and AO interventions in patients with pain after surgery in six studies, with a large clinical effect (n=124; SMD=-0.84; 95% CI: -1.47 to -0.21). In patients with chronic pain, results showed statistically significant differences in MI and AO interventions in three studies, with a large clinical effect (n=83; SMD=-2.14; 95% CI: -3.81 to -0.47). Risk of bias, imprecision and inconsistency decreased the GRADE level of evidence. There was very low-quality evidence regarding the effects of movement representation techniques intervention (AO and MI) on pain intensity in patients with post-surgical pain. In addition, there was very low-quality evidence regarding the effects of MI and AO interventions on chronic pain. Movement representation techniques in combination with usual care are capable of producing a decrease in pain intensity compared with conventional treatment, in both post-surgical and chronic pain. However, the very low-quality evidence found regarding these techniques showed that more research is needed for their application in a clinical context.

Effect of Motor Imagery With Virtual Reality in Patients With Stroke

Effect of Motor Imagery With Virtual Reality in Patients With Stroke

Upregulating excitability of corticospinal pathways in stroke patients using TMS neurofeedback; A pilot study

Upper limb weakness following a stroke affects 80% of survivors and is a key factor in preventing their return to independence. State-of-the art approaches to rehabilitation often require that the patient can generate some activity in the paretic limb, which is not possible for many patients in the early period following stroke. Approaches that enable more patients to engage with upper limb therapy earlier are urgently needed.Motor imagery has shown promise as a potential means to maintain activity in the brain’s motor network, when the patient is incapable of generating functional movement. However, as imagery is a hidden mental process, it is impossible for individuals to gauge what impact this is having upon their neural activity.Here we used a novel brain-computer interface (BCI) approach allowing patients to gain an insight into the effect of motor imagery on their brain-muscle pathways, in real-time. Seven patients 2–26 weeks post stroke were provided with neurofeedback (NF) of their corticospinal excitability measured by the size of motor evoked potentials (MEP) in response to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The aim was to train patients to use motor imagery to increase the size of MEPs, using the BCI with a computer game displaying neurofeedback.Patients training finger muscles learned to elevate MEP amplitudes above their resting baseline values for the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and abductor digiti minimi (ADM) muscles. By day 3 for ADM and day 4 for FDI, MEP amplitudes were sustained above baseline in all three NF blocks.Here we have described the first clinical implementation of TMS NF in a population of sub-acute stroke patients. The results show that in the context of severe upper limb paralysis, patients are capable of using neurofeedback to elevate corticospinal excitability in the affected muscles. This may provide a new training modality for early intervention following stroke.

Effectiveness of Motor Imagery and Task-oriented Training in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder

Effectiveness of Motor Imagery and Task-oriented Training in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder

Effects of Motor Imagery on Autonomic Function

Effects of Motor Imagery on Autonomic Function

Effects of Motor Imagery and Action Observation on Lumbo-pelvic Motor Control, Trunk Muscles Strength and Level of Perceived Fatigue: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ABSTRACTPurpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of motor imagery (MI) and action observation (AO) combined with a motor control exercises program for the lumbopelvic region. Method: Forty-five asymptomatic individuals were randomized into three groups: MI (n = 15), AO (n = 15) or control group (CG) (n = 15). The outcome measures included lumbopelvic motor control measured with a stabilizer pressure biofeedback, trunk muscle strength using a dynamometer and the perceived fatigue using a visual analogue scale. Participants were assessed at pre-intervention, at first week of intervention (mid) and post-intervention. Results: Regarding lumbopelvic motor control, we observed significant within-group differences between pre- and the mid and post-intervention assessment in AO group (p < .001, d > 0.80). MI and CG groups showed significant differences between pre- and post-intervention assessment (p < .05, d > 0.80). Regarding the direct comparison in the ΔMid-Pre differences between groups, only the AO group was superior to the CG with a large effect size (d > 0.80). Regarding trunk muscle strength, significant within-group differences between pre- and post-intervention assessments were observed in AO (p < .001, d = —1.25) and MI (p < .05, d = —1.00) groups. In relation to the perceived fatigue, statistically significant within-group differences were found in all groups (p < .05, d > 0.60). Conclusion: AO training caused faster changes in lumbopelvic motor control compared with the CG group. The AO strategy could be used as a guideline for teaching lumbopelvic motor control exercises.

Effects of Motor Imagery in Pain Modulation and Median Nerve Mechanosensitive in Healthy Patients

Effects of Motor Imagery in Pain Modulation and Median Nerve Mechanosensitive in Healthy Patients

Effects of Motor Imagery on Motor Learning and Motor Retention in Octogenarian.

Effects of Motor Imagery on Motor Learning and Motor Retention in Octogenarian.

Effects of Motor Imagery and Action Observation Training on Neck Reposition Sense in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain

Effects of Motor Imagery and Action Observation Training on Neck Reposition Sense in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain

Effects of Motor Imagery and Action Observation Training on Pain Perception in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain

Effects of Motor Imagery and Action Observation Training on Pain Perception in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain

Effects of Leg Motor Imagery Combined With Electrical Stimulation on Plasticity of Corticospinal Excitability and Spinal Reciprocal Inhibition.

Motor imagery (MI) combined with electrical stimulation (ES) enhances upper-limb corticospinal excitability. However, its after-effects on both lower limb corticospinal excitability and spinal reciprocal inhibition remain unknown. We aimed to investigate the effects of MI combined with peripheral nerve ES (MI + ES) on the plasticity of lower limb corticospinal excitability and spinal reciprocal inhibition. Seventeen healthy individuals performed the following three tasks on different days, in a random order: (1) MI alone; (2) ES alone; and (3) MI + ES. The MI task consisted of repetitive right ankle dorsiflexion for 20 min. ES was percutaneously applied to the common peroneal nerve at a frequency of 100 Hz and intensity of 120% of the sensory threshold of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. We examined changes in motor-evoked potential (MEP) of the TA (task-related muscle) and soleus muscle (SOL; task-unrelated muscle). We also examined disynaptic reciprocal inhibition before, immediately after, and 10, 20, and 30 min after the task. MI + ES significantly increased TA MEPs immediately and 10 min after the task compared with baseline, but did not change the task-unrelated muscle (SOL) MEPs. MI + ES resulted in a significant increase in the magnitude of reciprocal inhibition immediately and 10 min after the task compared with baseline. MI and ES alone did not affect TA MEPs or reciprocal inhibition. MI combined with ES is effective in inducing plastic changes in lower limb corticospinal excitability and reciprocal Ia inhibition.

Effects of Motor Imagery and Visual Neurofeedback on Activation in the Swallowing Network: A Real-Time fMRI Study

Motor imagery of movements is used as mental strategy in neurofeedback applications to gain voluntary control over activity in motor areas of the brain. In the present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, we first addressed the question whether motor imagery and execution of swallowing activate comparable brain areas, which has been already proven for hand and foot movements. Prior near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) studies provide evidence that this is the case in the outer layer of the cortex. With the present fMRI study, we want to expand these prior NIRS findings to the whole brain. Second, we used motor imagery of swallowing as mental strategy during visual neurofeedback to investigate whether one can learn to modulate voluntarily activity in brain regions, which are associated with active swallowing, using real-time fMRI. Eleven healthy adults performed one offline session, in which they executed swallowing movements and imagined swallowing on command during fMRI scanning. Based on this functional localizer task, we identified brain areas active during both tasks and defined individually regions for feedback. During the second session, participants performed two real-time fMRI neurofeedback runs (each run comprised 10 motor imagery trials), in which they should increase voluntarily the activity in the left precentral gyrus by means of motor imagery of swallowing while receiving visual feedback (the visual feedback depicted one’s own fMRI signal changes in real-time). Motor execution and imagery of swallowing activated a comparable network of brain areas including the bilateral pre- and postcentral gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, basal ganglia, insula, SMA, and the cerebellum compared to a resting condition. During neurofeedback training, participants were able to increase the activity in the feedback region (left lateral precentral gyrus) but also in other brain regions, which are generally active during swallowing, compared to the motor imagery offline task. Our results indicate that motor imagery of swallowing is an adequate mental strategy to activate the swallowing network of the whole brain, which might be useful for future treatments of swallowing disorders.