Effects of Motor Imagery Training
Effects of Motor Imagery Training on Kinesiophobia, Gait, and Balance in Parkinson's Disease Patients
Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University
50 participants
Jul 1, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, characterized pathologically by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and clinically by the presence of motor symptoms such as bradykinesia, resting tremor, and/or rigidity. Among the motor deficits frequently observed in PD, patients are known to frequently report difficulties with manual dexterity.Typical features of balance deficits in PD include decreased sway, decreased base of support, rigidity, abnormal intersegmental coordination, and postural misalignment. Related somatosensory deficits in PD include problems orienting to and processing sensory and somatosensory information.Motor imagery (MI) is the imaginal execution of motor activities or the activation of specific muscles in the absence of any explicit feedback. This area of rehabilitation has been shown to be effective in improving and developing motor skills in many neurological conditions where patients exhibit motor recognition and execution impairments. MI can be applied at all stages of recovery from PD, is highly effective in movement-related pathologies, and can be performed independently.Studies evaluating the effect of mental imagery training on balance measures in PD are limited. One study evaluating the effect of combined MI-physical therapy versus physical therapy alone group treatment noted positive trends toward balance improvements in the combined group. In a case study of a single participant with PD, a 3-month neurocognitive rehabilitation program incorporating mental imagery over 20 sessions resulted in balance improvements and a reduced risk of falls in both the "OFF" and "ON" phases, as measured by the Tinetti Balance and Gait Assessment Scale.The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of motor imagery training on kinesiophobia, walking and balance in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria3
- Individuals aged 40-75 diagnosed with idiopathic PD, with a Modified Hoehn \& Yahr (m-HY) scale stage ≤4, and a score of ≥22 on the Mini Mental State Examination for those with formal training and ≥18 for those without formal training;
- Individuals with no other known neurological and/or systemic disease;
- Individuals without any upper extremity contractures;
Exclusion Criteria3
- Individuals with diagnosed and/or treated psychiatric illnesses;
- Individuals who are taking neuroleptic medications or antidepressants;
- Individuals with orthopedic conditions such as severe dyskinesia, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendon injuries, and finger amputations that interfere with manual dexterity tests; rheumatological conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis; and individuals with any neurological disease other than PD.
Interventions
Before the GYKO test, the patient will be asked to perform mental imagery to visualize a 3-meter distance for five cycles, and the time will be recorded. The TKYT will be administered according to standard protocols. Mental Imagery Application Protocol: 1. Awareness: The therapist will show a video of a typical normal gait for an adult male or female without pathology and compare it with a video of the patient's own gait. 2. Problem Identification/Explanation In the EG, subjects will identify gait problems and compare their gait with their typical gait. They will then use the comparative information for feedback. 3. Progressive Relaxation 4. Mental Imagery of Gait 5. Physıcal Performance Of The gait This protocol will be implemented the day after the initial assessment and will be conducted in 12 training sessions of no more than 90 minutes, three times per week for 4 weeks.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT07193355