A Pilot Study to Investigate the Effect of Motor Imagery on Dynamic Balance of Asymptomatic Students

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Balance
• Interventions: Other: Mental Motor Imagery

• Registration Number: NCT03376334
• Lead Sponsor: Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

Brief Summary

This study intended to investigate the effect of imagining a movement task on dynamic balance of sedentary university students. Two groups with good mental imaging ability were studied; one group receiving instructions on mental imagery and the other served as a control receiving no particular intervention. Any improvement in the balance ability was measured using the star excursion balance test (SEBT); for it has good to excellent test-retest reliability and validity as established by several researchers.

Detailed Description

Motor imagery (MI) refers to a cognitive process during which the representation of a specific motor action is internally simulated without producing an overt body movement. Motor imagery is now widely used as a technique to enhance motor learning and to enhance recovery during rehabilitation of various conditions such as sports injuries, stroke, etc. Several studies have also shown improvement in strength, function, and use of both upper and lower extremities in chronic stroke. Present study aimed to identify its effectiveness in improving dynamic balance of individuals without any clinical problem. Such improvement, if any, may be useful in early balance and proprioceptive training during the maximum protection phase of joint injuries, fractures, or even rehabilitation of other clinical conditions affecting balance. It may have benefits in maintaining / improving movements in athletes after injuries as well as the general less active population, including the elderly population.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2014-10-02
• Primary Completion: 2015-05-25
• Study Completion: 2015-05-25
• Status Verified: 2017-12
• Study First Submitted: 2017-12-12
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-12-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-12-12
• Study First Posted: 2017-12-18
• Last Update Posted: 2017-12-18

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 25

Inclusion Criteria

• No prior involvement in any physical or mental balance training
• Good mental imaging ability as determined using the motor imagery questionnaire

Exclusion Criteria

• neuromusculoskeletal condition that may alter balance
• vestibular disorders or VBA related disorders
• painful conditions of the body
• H/o seizure, schizophrenia, meningitis, migraine, diplopia, spinal injuries, lower extremity injuries

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Motor Imagery (MI)	Mental Motor Imagery	Those meeting the inclusion criteria were selected (n=22). Each participant was necessary to complete the Movement Imagery Questionnaire in a quiet room. Finally, each participant assigned a score by using a 7-point scale regarding the ease/difficulty associated with representing each movement mentally. Next their baseline balance measurement was performed using the SEBT. Later this group had 9 motor imagery sessions, each session for 15 minutes, 3 sessions (alternate days) per week for a total of 3 weeks. Reassessment of balance was done after every 3 sessions.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Dynamic Balance	24 days	Ability to balance while performing a task i.e. lower limb reach distance is various directions measured using star excursion balance test

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Time for improvement in balance	7 to 24 days	Time required to observe a significant improvement in balance

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman; 🇲🇾 Cheras, Selangor, Malaysia