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Motor imagery in stroke patients, or plegic patients with spinal cord or peripheral diseases
Author(s) -
Dettmers C.,
Benz M.,
Liepert J.,
Rockstroh B.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2012.01680.x
Subject(s) - paresis , tetraparesis , motor imagery , medicine , stroke (engine) , hemiparesis , proprioception , lesion , internal capsule , physical medicine and rehabilitation , rehabilitation , psychology , physical therapy , surgery , magnetic resonance imaging , electroencephalography , radiology , white matter , psychiatry , mechanical engineering , brain–computer interface , engineering
Objectives When motor imagery ( MI ) is impaired in stroke patients, it is not clear, whether this is caused by the central lesion with a disruption of networks or this may be due to inactivity/lack of practice following hemiparesis. To answer this question, we investigated MI in two groups of patients: stroke patients and patients with no central lesion, who suffered high‐grade tetraparesis caused by myopathy or spinal muscular atrophy. Materials and methods The first study measured MI in 31 sub‐acute and chronic stroke patients with hand paresis. We used self‐assessment questionnaires [ K inaesthetic and V isual I magery Q uestionnaire ( KVIQ ), the V ividness of M otor I magery Q uestionnaire ( VMIQ )] as well as a new chronometric test (mental version and normal/physical version of B ox and B lock T est). The second study assessed MI in 10 patients without a central lesion, but with severe tetraparesis of peripheral origin. They were incapable of performing the requested task physically. Results MI in patients was better (i) for the third‐person ( VMIQ 3.P ) compared to the first‐person perspective ( VMIQ 1.P ), (ii) in patients without sensory impairment compared to those with impaired proprioception, (iii) in patients with light paresis compared to severe paresis and (iv) for the non‐affected than the affected hand ( KVIQ ‐10). Patients with severe tetraparesis were able to imagine another person's knee bends, but were not capable of imagining themselves performing knee bends. Conclusions MI may be hampered on the affected side in severely paretic patients, particularly in the presence of impaired proprioception. Remarkably, the second study illustrates that motor experiences shape MI . This confirms the close relationship between MI and movement execution. The study advocates the careful use of test batteries for assessment of MI when investigating mental training in clinical trials. Not all patients might benefit to the same extent from MI training. This is possibly contingent on intact proprioception and preserved MI .