Effect of motor imagery training on symmetrical use of knee extensors during sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit tasks in post-stroke hemiparesis

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of motor imagery training (MIT) on the symmetrical use of knee extensors during sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit tasks. Methods: We measured the electromyographic (EMG) data in the knee extensor on the affected side of 3 volunteers with poststroke hemiparesis. We used a single-subject multiple-baseline research design across individuals. The EMG data were collected from knee extensors while performing the sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit tasks. The EMG activation and onset time ratios for the knee extensors were calculated by dividing the EMG activation and onset time of knee extensor action on the affected side by these on the unaffected side. MIT consisted of a 10-min detailed description of 5 stages: preparation, sit-to-stand tasks, weight shifting during standing, stand-to-sit tasks, and completion. Results: During MIT, the EMG activation ratios of participants 1, 2, and 3 increased by 11.24%, 18.07%, and 26.91%, respectively, in the sit-to-stand task and by 12.11%, 14.31%, and 25.92%, respectively, in the stand-to-sit task. During MIT, the onset time of participants 1, 2, and 3 decreased by 36.09%, 24.27%, and 25.61%, respectively, in the sit-to-stand task and by 26.81%, 27.20%, and 22.83%, respectively, for the stand-to-sit task. Conclusion: These findings suggest that MIT has a positive effect on the symmetrical use of knee extensors during sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit tasks.

Effects of sit-to-stand imagery group training on balance performance in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke: a randomized control trial

“…Lomaglio and Eng [25] reported that paretic muscle strength and the ability to load the paretic limb are important factors underlying the ability to rise from a chair in individuals with chronic stroke. Recently, motor imagery of STS movement for individuals with stroke has been introduced by some researchers [10,11]. Previous studies have reported that the application of motor imagery practice can be an effective means of enhancing STS movement for treatment of hemiplegic stroke patients.…”

“…Malouin et al [9] found that after just one session of motor imagery training in an STS task, 12 stroke patients demonstrated an enhancement of weight bearing on the paretic lower limb while standing, with the improvement maintained after 24 hours. Oh et al [10] reported that motor imagery training has a positive effect on the symmetrical use of knee extensors during STS and stand-to-sit tasks. Guttman et al [11] suggested that the imagery practice of meaningful motor tasks can positively affect real performance, including STS and reaching to grasp objects.…”

Towards the integration of mental practice in rehabilitation programs. A critical review

“…Therefore, a gain in movement speed without an increase in limb loading on the affected side after MI training of sit-to-stand (Guttman et al, 2012) suggests that the MI training protocol did not promote the learning of the novel motor strategy. Likewise, the use of the knee extensor muscle activity (EMG alone) as an indicator of vertical force distribution between the paretic and non-paretic limbs as a means of assessing an improved motor strategy can be questioned (Oh et al, 2010), and requires prior validation.…”

“…Technical support is also used at times to illustrate what should be imagined. Mirror therapy (Ietswaart et al, 2011) or watching videos to learn about walking, or to identify their own gait problems from videos taken at different intervals (Hwang et al, 2010; Lee et al, 2011) and interacting with a computer and hardware devices for visual feedback of limb loading during a familiarization period in the first training session (Malouin et al, 2004a,b, 2009; Oh et al, 2010) are examples. It can involve actively imagining with the use of mirrors (Stevens and Stoykov, 2003; Ietswaart et al, 2011) or computer-facilitated imagery (Stevens and Stoykov, 2003).…”

Common coding and dynamic interactions between observed, imagined, and experienced motor and somatosensory activity

“…For example, motor imagery has been used to improve strength, speed of action, range of motion, and posture in healthy individuals and athletes, as well as skilled actions in nursing and surgery (Dicksten & Deutsch, 2007). Motor imagery has also been shown to aid in rehabilitation of motor movement in patients suffering or recovering from stroke, spinal cord injury, and Parkinson's disease (Zimmermann-Schlatter 2008; Oh et al 2010; Tamir et al 2007; Dickstein & Deutsch, 2007). Repeated motor imagery practice increases motor-related activation of premotor, primary motor, and superior parietal regions in stroke patients (Page et al 2009a).…”