Comparison of subjective motor imagery abilities in CRPS compared to chronic limb pain and healthy controls: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition with extensive symptoms. Motor imagery (MI) is a common therapy in chronic pain, however it is unknown whether patients with CRPS have a subjective MI deficit. In this single-center observational study, 120 patients were recruited, comprising 40 participants each with CRPS, chronic limb pain (CLP), and healthy individuals. In this single-center observational study, 120 patients were recruited, comprising 40 participants each with CRPS, chronic limb pain (CLP), and healthy individuals. Participants completed the Motor Imagery Questionnaire - Revised Second (MIQ-RS) once on each side to assess their subjective kinesthetic (KMI) and visual (VMI) MI abilities. The study was performed in the University Hospital of Nimes (France). The total MIQ-RS score and KMI and VMI subscores were compared between groups and between healthy and painful sides.. There was no difference between or within groups (p>0.05; 95% CI) for all scores. Bayesian analysis suggested that CLP patients had the same MI abilities as healthy individuals and between their healthy and painful sides for the KMI score (BF01>3). This approach allowed us to conclude that if a difference exists for CRPS patients, it is very small. Motor imagery training appears to be effective in rehabilitation programs for patients with CRPS, but not in improving a deficit in the ability to perform motor imagery. Future studies should aim to assess MI abilities by a subjective or objective method in a longitudinal study and observe changes in these abilities.