Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess the relationships of (1) clinical variables (age, level of injury, time since injury [TSI], and completeness of injury) and (2) psychological variables (stress and depression) with mental imagery ability in individuals with spinal cord injury. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Participants with spinal cord injury (N = 130) were requested to fill the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire and Vividness of Motor Imagery Questionnaire. They also completed the Perceived Stress Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire 9 for the assessment of stress and depression, respectively.Results: Mental imagery scores were found to be significantly low in cervical injuries ( P < 0.001) as compared with thoracic injuries ( P < 0.001). Furthermore, higher levels of spinal injuries resulted in lower mental imagery scores. Completeness of injury (according to Asia Impairment Scale) also had a significant relationship ( P < 0.001) with the mental imagery ability among spinal cord injury participants. Presence of stress ( P < 0.001) and depression ( P < 0.001) also associated with reduced efficiency of mental imagery in these individuals. Conclusions: Injury type and psychological factors were associated with mental imagery in SCI patients. Imagery-based interventions should be designed after consideration of identified factors yielding effect on their outcomes.
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