Article

Motor imagery has recently gained attention as a promising new
rehabilitation method for patients with neurological disorders.
Up to now,
however, it has been unclear whether this practice method can also be
successfully applied in the rehabilitation of patients with Parkinson disease
(PD). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether the motor imagery
ability of patients with PD is still intact despite basal ganglia dysfunctioning.
METHODS: A total of 14 patients with early- and mid-stage PD (Hoehn and Yahr 1-3)
and 14 healthy controls were evaluated by means of an extensive imagery ability
assessment battery, consisting of 2 questionnaires, the Chaotic Motor Imagery
Assessment battery, and a test based on mental chronometry. RESULTS: PD patients
performed the imagery tasks more slowly than controls, but the motor imagery
vividness and accuracy of most patients were well preserved. CONCLUSIONS: These
results are promising regarding the potential use of motor imagery practice in
the rehabilitation of patients with PD.

Langue : ANGLAIS