Motor imagery training promotes motor learning in adolescents with cerebral palsy: comparison between left and right hemiparesis

Author(s)

Cabral-Sequeira, Audrey Sartori ^{[1, 2]} ; Coelho, Daniel Boari ^[1] ; Teixeira, Luis Augusto ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Human Motor Syst Lab, Av Prof Mello Moraes, 65 Cidade Univ, BR-05508030 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Assoc Assistance Deficient Children, Av Prof Ascendino Reis 724, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Experimental Brain Research; v. 234, n. 6, p. 1515-1524, JUN 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of pure motor imagery training (MIT) and its combination with physical practice on learning an aiming task with the more affected arm in adolescents suffering from cerebral palsy. Effect of MIT was evaluated as a function of side of hemiparesis. The experiment was accomplished by 11- to 16-year-old participants (M = 13.58 years), who suffered left (n = 16) or right (n = 15) mild hemiparesis. They were exposed to pure MIT (day 1) followed by physical practice (day 2) on an aiming task demanding movement accuracy and speed. Posttraining movement kinematics of the group receiving MIT were compared with movement kinematics of the control group after receiving recreational activities (day 1) and physical practice (day 2). Kinematic analysis showed that MIT led to decreased movement time and straighter hand displacements to the target. Performance achievements from MIT were increased with further physical practice, leading to enhanced effects on motor learning. Retention evaluation indicated that performance improvement from pure MIT and its combination with physical practice were stable over time. Performance achievements were equivalent between adolescents with either right or left hemiparesis, suggesting similar capacity between these groups to achieve performance improvement from pure imagery training and from its association with physical practice. Our results suggest that motor imagery training is a procedure potentially useful to increase motor learning achievements in individuals suffering from cerebral palsy. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/09601-1 - Mental practice by young cerebral palsy individuals: effect on control of manual aiming
• Grantee: Luis Augusto Teixeira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants