A mental route to motor learning: Improving trajectorial kinematics through imagery training

Background: There is an urgent need to systematically analyze the growing body of literature on the effect of motor imagery (MI) training in children and adolescents. Methods: Seven databases and clinicaltrials.gov were searched. Two reviewers independently screened references and full texts, and extracted data (studies’ methodology, MI elements, temporal parameters). Two studies were meta-analyzed providing the standard mean difference (SDM). Selected studies were evaluated with the risk of bias (RoB) and GRADE tools. Results: A total of 7238 references were retrieved. The sample size of the 22 included studies, published between 1995 and 2021, ranged from 18 to 136 participants, totaling 934 (nine to 18 years). Studies included healthy pupils, mentally retarded adolescents, children with motor coordination difficulties or with mild mental disabilities. The motor learning tasks focused on upper, lower and whole body movements. SMDs for the primary outcome of pooled studies varied between 0.83 to 1.87 (95% CI, I2, T2 varied 0.33–3.10; p = 0.001; 0–74%; 0–0.59). RoB varied between some concerns and high risk. GRADE rating was low. Conclusions: MI combined with physical practice (PP) might have a high potential for healthy and impaired children and adolescents. However, important reporting recommendations (PETTLEP, TIDieR, CONSORT) should be followed. The systematic review was registered with PROSPERO: CRD42021237361.

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Motor imagery training promotes motor learning in adolescents with cerebral palsy: comparison between left and right hemiparesis

Experimental Brain Research ◽

10.1007/s00221-016-4554-3 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 234 (6) ◽

pp. 1515-1524 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Audrey Sartori Cabral-Sequeira ◽

Daniel Boari Coelho ◽

Luis Augusto Teixeira

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Motor Learning ◽

Motor Imagery ◽

Imagery Training ◽

Left And Right

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Efeito da associação de prática imagética e física na aprendizagem motora em crianças

Brazilian Journal of Kinanthropometry and Human Performance ◽

10.5007/1980-0037.2018v20n5p363 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (5) ◽

pp. 363-372

Author(s):

Patrícia Sayuri Takazono ◽

Luis Augusto Teixeira

Keyword(s):

Motor Learning ◽

Sensory Feedback ◽

Movement Time ◽

Performance Gain ◽

Physical Practice ◽

Reaching Task ◽

Manual Task ◽

Imagery Training ◽

Task Component ◽

Performance Gains

Imagery training has been shown to induce motor learning in adults, but similar evidence in children is scarce. In this experiment, we aimed to evaluate the effect of association between imagery and physical practice compared to pure physical practice in the learning of a manual task in 9-10 year-old children. The task consisted of transporting a block and fitting it into a support with speed and steadiness, assessing movement time to complete the “reaching” and “transport” task components. The children were assigned to one of three groups: (a) physical practice (PHYS) (240 trials), (b) combination (COMB) of imagery (180 trials) and physical (60 trials) practice, and (c) control (CON), associating visual rotation (180 trials) and physical practice (60 trials). Performance was evaluated immediately and 24 h after practice. Results indicated that the PHYS group achieved a persistent performance gain in the “transport”, but not in the “reaching” task component, while the COMB group achieved persistent performance gains in both movement components; no significant differences were found for the CON group. Our results suggest that imagery training improves the task mental representation in children, while physical practice provides sensory feedback on the performed movements. As a conclusion, the results suggest that combination of imagery and physical practice can be more effective than pure physical practice for children’s motor learning.

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Motor Imagery Training for Gait Rehabilitation of People With Post-Stroke Hemiparesis: Practical Applications and Protocols

Global Journal of Health Science ◽

10.5539/gjhs.v10n11p66 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 66 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ayelet Dunsky ◽

Ruth Dickstein

Keyword(s):

Motor Learning ◽

Motor Imagery ◽

Stroke Rehabilitation ◽

Treatment Session ◽

Practical Applications ◽

Impaired Performance ◽

Post Stroke ◽

Imagery Training ◽

Rehabilitation Programs ◽

Learning Principles

Over the last two decades, the use of motor imagery (MI) for post-stroke rehabilitation has significantly increased. Previous findings support the feasibility of the incorporation of specific MI exercises to improve walking skills in individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis. However, detailed practical applications and specific protocols for the implementation of MI are scarce. The objective of this manuscript is to propose practical applications for a structured MI regimen, including detailed protocols of a six-week intervention targeting gait improvement following stroke. The proposed regimen is based on previous experience with MI rehabilitation programs for gait improvement following stroke, motor learning principles with applications for stroke rehabilitation, and the PETTLEP model. The proposed detailed protocols were found to be adjusted for gait improvement of post-stroke survivors as described in several studies, and may address the targets of different rehabilitation programs. Based on motor learning principles and guidelines, an example of verbal instructions for each treatment session during six weeks of intervention is proposed. The potential of this training program to augment and extend the rehabilitation process was proven in several studies. The variety of possibilities of scenes to image allows the clinician to target specific impaired performance and disabilities. By using the proposed structure and protocols, a large number of therapists may be able to address these targets.

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