Relationship Between Motor Imagery Ability, Body Awareness and Cognitive Functions in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Motor imagery can be defined as a voluntary action simulation process that involves focusing intently on the cognitive components of motor tasks. In the literature, motor imagery is seen as a window opening to cognitive motor processes and especially motor control. Motor imagery is negatively affected in many diseases that affect the brain and brain functions, such as stroke, Parkinson, and multiple sclerosis, and motor imagery is frequently used in the rehabilitation of these diseases. Poor glycemic control in Type 2 Diabetes mellitus leads to deterioration in brain and cognitive functions. However, no study has been found on the effects of these disorders seen in Type 2 Diabetes mellitus on MI skills. Motor imagery is a mental practice that is becoming widespread in many areas. However, before considering using Motor imagery-based exercises as a therapy tool for patients, it is important to consider the extent to which patients cognitive impairments are related to their ability to form accurate motor images. For example, studies have found that patients with the lack of body awareness may not be able to produce kinesthetic images of motor movements.

Body awareness is the tendency to pay attention to internal bodily sensations and stimuli and includes the cognitive, emotional, and perceptual abilities that constitute the person general self-awareness. Chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes mellitus affect body awareness and image. Body awareness has been found to be associated with clinical parameters related to diabetes, such as fasting blood sugar and HbA1c levels and duration of diabetes in patients with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. Changes in body awareness may disrupt the patient self-perception, leading to a poor clinical picture and a poor course of chronic diseases. Therefore, it is important to evaluate possible changes in internal body perception.

To our knowledge, no study has been found in the literature examining the relationship between motor imagery skills of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and body awareness and cognitive functions. The existence of this relationship may guide the use of motor imagery as a treatment method in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus whose body awareness and cognitive functions are impaired.

Individuals who meet the inclusion criteria will be asked to sign an informed consent form. Then, demographic data of the individuals will be collected using a demographic data form. Individuals; motor imagery skills will be assessed using a mental stopwatch and mental rotation, body awareness will be assessed using the Body Awareness Questionnaire, and cognitive functions will be assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment questionnaire.