Article

Abnormalities in brain motor system function are present following spinal cord injury (SCI) and could reduce effectiveness of restorative interventions.
Motor imagery training, which can improve motor behavior and modulate brain function,
might address this concern but has not been examined in subjects with SCI. Ten
subjects with SCI and complete tetra-/paraplegia plus ten healthy controls
underwent assessment before and after 7 days of motor imagery training to tongue
and to foot. Motor imagery training significantly improved the behavioral outcome
measure, speed of movement, in non-paralyzed muscles. Training was also
associated with increased fMRI activation in left putamen, an area associated
with motor learning, during attempted right foot movement in both groups, despite
foot movements being present in controls and absent in subjects with SCI. This
fMRI change was absent in a second healthy control group serially imaged without
training. In subjects with SCI, training exaggerated, rather than normalized,
baseline derangement of left globus pallidus activation.
The current study found
that motor imagery training improves motor performance and alters brain function
in subjects with complete SCI despite lack of voluntary motor control and
peripheral feedback. These effects of motor imagery training on brain function
have not been previously described in a neurologically impaired population, and
were similar to those found in healthy controls. Motor imagery might be of value
as one component of a restorative intervention.

Langue : ANGLAIS

Tiré à part : OUI