Motor imagery training improves precision of an upper limb movement in patients with hemiparesis

This study explored the effect of kinesthetic motor imagery training on reaching-to-grasp movement supplemented by a virtual environment in a patient with congenital bilateral transverse upper-limb deficiency. Based on a theoretical assumption, it is possible to conduct such training in this patient. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether cortical activity related to motor imagery of reaching and motor imagery of grasping of the right upper limb was changed by computer-aided imagery training (CAIT) in a patient who was born without upper limbs compared to a healthy control subject, as characterized by multi-channel electroencephalography (EEG) signals recorded before and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after CAIT. The main task during CAIT was to kinesthetically imagine the execution of reaching-to-grasp movements without any muscle activation, supplemented by computer visualization of movements provided by a special headset. Our experiment showed that CAIT can be conducted in the patient with higher vividness of imagery for reaching than grasping tasks. Our results confirm that CAIT can change brain activation patterns in areas related to motor planning and the execution of reaching and grasping movements, and that the effect was more pronounced in the patient than in the healthy control subject. The results show that CAIT has a different effect on the cortical activity related to the motor imagery of a reaching task than on the cortical activity related to the motor imagery of a grasping task. The change observed in the activation patterns could indicate CAIT-induced neuroplasticity, which could potentially be useful in rehabilitation or brain-computer interface purposes for such patients, especially before and after transplantation. This study was part of a registered experiment (ID: NCT04048083).

Download Full-text

Graded motor imagery training as a home exercise program for upper limb motor function in patients with chronic stroke

Medicine ◽

10.1097/md.0000000000024351 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 100 (3) ◽

pp. e24351

Author(s):

Eun Kyu Ji ◽

Hae Hyun Wang ◽

Sung June Jung ◽

Kyoung Bo Lee ◽

Joon Sung Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Motor Function ◽

Motor Imagery ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Chronic Stroke ◽

Home Exercise ◽

Home Exercise Program ◽

Imagery Training ◽

Graded Motor Imagery

Download Full-text

The effects of kinesthetic and visual motor imagery on interjoint coordination in the hemiplegic index finger: an experimental study using the index of temporal coordination

Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional ◽

10.1590/2526-8910.ctoao2170 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

Author(s):

Jonathon O’Brien ◽

Robert Martyn Bracewell ◽

Juan Alberto Castillo

Keyword(s):

Motor Imagery ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Index Finger ◽

Control Group ◽

Temporal Coordination ◽

Interjoint Coordination ◽

Imagery Training ◽

Visual Motor ◽

Upper Limb Hemiparesis ◽

Future Work

Abstract Upper limb hemiparesis is a common impairment following stroke and can affect interjoint coordination. Motor imagery training is one treatment strategy. However, motor imagery can use visual or kinesthetic modalities and there has been a lack of research comparing the effectiveness of these modalities when treating the upper limb. The aim of this study was to compare visual and kinesthetic motor imagery in improving interjoint coordination in the hemiparetic index finger. Fifteen stroke survivors with upper limb hemiparesis were allocated to groups using kinesthetic or visual motor imagery, or a control group using guided relaxation. Reaching and grasping movements of the upper limb were captured using optoelectronic motion capture. Interjoint coordination of the hemiparetic index finger was analysed using the index of temporal coordination. No significant differences were found for interjoint coordination following treatment in either condition. Future work should focus on comparing kinesthetic and visual motor imagery in the rehabilitation of more proximal upper limb joints.

Download Full-text

The Association between Mental Motor Imagery and Real Movement in Stroke

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9111568 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 1568

Author(s):

Ana Poveda-García ◽

Carmen Moret-Tatay ◽

Miguel Gómez-Martínez

Keyword(s):

Motor Imagery ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Daily Living ◽

Cognitive Disorders ◽

Limb Movement ◽

Spatial Skills ◽

Upper Limb Rehabilitation ◽

Visual Spatial ◽

Limb Rehabilitation

Background: Stroke is the main cause of disability in adults; the most common and long-term sequela is upper-limb hemiparesis. Many studies support the idea that mental motor imagery, which is related to the visualization of movement patterns, activates the same areas of the cortex as if the movement occurred. Objectives: This study aims to examine the capacity to elaborate mental motor images, as well as its relationship to loss of movement in the upper limbs after a stroke. Method: An observational study, in a sample of 39 adults who suffered a stroke, was carried out. The upper limb movement and functionality, cognitive disorders, the ability to visualize mental images, and activities of daily living were examined. Results: The results depicted a statistically significant correlation between the ability to visualize upper limb mental motor images with movement, functionality, and strength. In addition, a correlation between visual–spatial skills and mental visualization of motor ability and upper limb movement was found. Conclusions: These results suggest that the rehabilitation approach focused on the improvement of mental motor imagery could be of interest for the upper limb rehabilitation of movement and functionality.

Download Full-text