The therapeutic role of motor imagery during the acute phase after total knee arthroplasty: a pilot study

Abstract

Implementing motor imagery practice into the course of physical therapy enhanced various physical outcomes during acute postoperative recovery after total knee arthroplasty. According to this pilot study, motor imagery might be relevant to promote motor relearning and recovery after total knee arthroplasty.Partial effect-sizes should be conducted in the future. Implications for rehabilitation Adding motor imagery to physical therapy sessions during the acute period following total knee arthroplasty: • Enhances quadriceps strength. • Alleviates pain. • Enhances range of motion. • Does not have any effect on basic functional mobility. • Does not have any effect on knee girth.

The Role of Movement Representation Techniques in the Motor Learning Process: A Neurophysiological Hypothesis and a Narrative Review

“…Moukarzel et al 2019 [23] Patients with total knee arthroplasty (n = 24). Four men and 20 women aged from 65 to 75 years (70 ± 2.89).…”

Beyond Jeannerod's motor simulation theory: An approach for improving post-traumatic motor rehabilitation

“…Few studies have investigated this topic in subjects with no past neurological history, who experience an immobilization period due to a traumatic limb injury [56,61] or in whom such immobilization is imposed for experimental reasons [4,19,57]. First, both Moukarzel et al [61] and Marusic et al [56] found some benefits of using motor simulation in rehabilitation of patients who had respectively undergone total knee and hip arthroplasty surgery. More specifically, Moukarzel et al [61] instructed patients to perform visual imagery from an internal and external perspective as well as kinesthetic imagery.…”

“…First, both Moukarzel et al [61] and Marusic et al [56] found some benefits of using motor simulation in rehabilitation of patients who had respectively undergone total knee and hip arthroplasty surgery. More specifically, Moukarzel et al [61] instructed patients to perform visual imagery from an internal and external perspective as well as kinesthetic imagery. Three 15 minute-sessions per week were provided for 4 weeks and three sets of imagery programs were devised based on the intended goals:…”

Neurostructural correlates of strength decrease following total knee arthroplasty: A systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis

“…A recent meta-analysis investigated the benefits of OPGR and UC rehabilitation programs and showed a small to moderate, short-term beneficial effect that favors OPGR, with no longterm benefit in one-year postoperative period [47]. Different protocols of muscle strengthening have been used to counteract quadriceps weakness, such as progressive muscle strengthening [30], both high-intensity [40] and high-volume training [5], whole-body vibration exercise [48], aquatic training [49], neuromuscular electrical stimulation and the most recent non-physical approaches like action observation and motor imagery [50][51][52]. However, it is possible that current rehabilitation protocols may be inadequate, considering the type of intervention [52], its duration, included exercises, intensity volume, etc.…”

“…The underlying mechanisms of the observed strength gains might be explained by alteration of both central and peripheral levels of muscle action control [59,60], with evidence of higher agonist activation [61] followed by antagonistic muscle inhibition during agonistic muscle action [62]. Therefore, incorporating MI practice in early stages of injury or surgical rehabilitation should be considered, when overt movement is restricted [50,58,61].…”