5 minutes of listening to a tape recording of relaxation techniques.
What can I expect from a motor imagery session?Īn example of a motor imagery session for a person with a weakened arm might include: Visual motor imagery – imagining the movement itself.Kinaesthetic motor imagery – imagining the feeling associated with performing a movement.There are two distinct types of motor imagery: Are there different types of motor imagery? It is especially useful for people with problems with the arms, legs, and hands. It has been used to improve strength, increase hip movements, and improve postural control in the elderly, as well as treat people who have health problems, including injury to the spinal cord, Parkinson’s disease, or fibromyalgia (general muscle pain). Stephen Page and his team at Drake Center and University of Cincinnati What is motor imagery used for? Researchers have shown that this “mental rehearsal” actually works, as it stimulates the brain areas responsible for making the weaker arm or leg move. For example, you may imagine hitting a golf ball or drinking a cup of tea. In other words, you imagine doing the motion in your mind. In motor imagery, we mentally rehearse the movement of the affected body parts, without ever actually attempting to perform the movement. Motor imagery is a form of therapy that can be used to strengthen the arms, hands, feet and legs which may be weakened by stroke. Patient/Family InformationĪuthors: Tatiana Ogourtsova, MSc BSc OT, Annabel McDermott, OT, Erica Kader Emilie Belley, BA Psychology, BSc PT Josee-Anne Filion Alison Nutter Mathilde Parent-Vachon Marie Saulnier Stephanie Shedleur, Bsc PT Tsz Ting Wan, BSc PT Elissa Sitcoff, BA BSc Nicol Korner-Bitensky, PhD OT What is motor imagery?
80% of cases are also know as a “schemic stroke”, or the formation of a blood clot in a vessel supplying blood to the brain. 20% of cases are a hemorrhage in the brain caused by a rupture or leakage from a blood vessel. In addition, motor imagery has been shown in one study to help the brain reorganize its neural pathways, which may help promote learning of motor tasks after a stroke Also called a “brain attack” and happens when brain cells die because of inadequate blood flow. Brain scanning techniques have shown that similar areas of the brain are activated during motor imagery and physical movement.
In fact, many of the first studies on motor imagery were designed to investigate whether motor imagery improved motor performance in athletes. It has been shown that while motor imagery is beneficial by itself, it is most effective when used in addition to physical practice. Motor imagery can be used in the acute phase, subacute phase or chronic phase of rehabilitation. , and to minimize the effects of unilateral spatial neglect. Of daily living, to help improve gait The pattern of walking, which is often characterized by elements of progression, efficiency, stability and safety. Activity limitations are difficulties in performance of activities. More to attempt to treat loss of arm, hand and lower extremity movement, to help improve performance in activities As defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, activity is the performance of a task or action by an individual. Motor imagery has been used after a stroke Also called a “brain attack” and happens when brain cells die because of inadequate blood flow. Motor imagery or mental practice/mental imagery/mental rehearsal involves activation of the neural system while a person imagines performing a task or body movement without actually physically performing the movement.