Motor imagery training improves balance and mobility in older adults who do not have a neurological condition .
These results suggest that motor imagery training could be an adjunct to st and ard physiotherapy care in older adults , although it is unclear whether or not the effects are clinical ly worthwhile .
QUESTION Does motor imagery training improve measures of balance , mobility and falls in older adults without a neurological condition ?
Motor Imagery during Action Observation of Locomotor Tasks Improves Rehabilitation Outcome in Older Adults after Total Hip Arthroplasty
This study aim ed at determining whether the combination of action observation and motor imagery ( AO + MI ) of locomotor tasks could positively affect rehabilitation outcome  after hip replacement surgery . Of initially 405 screened participants , 21 were r and omly split into  intervention group ( N = 10 ; mean age = 64 y ; AO + MI of locomotor tasks : 30 min/day in the hospital , then 3 × /week in their homes for two months ) and  control group ( N = 11 , mean age = 63 y , active controls ) . The functional outcomes ( Timed Up and Go , TUG ; Four Step Square Test , FSST ; and single- and dual-task gait and postural control ) were measured before ( PRE ) and 2 months after surgery ( POST ) . Significant interactions indicated better rehabilitation outcome for the intervention group as compared to the control group : at POST , the intervention group revealed faster TUG ( p = 0.042 ) , FSST ( p = 0.004 ) , and dual-task fast-paced gait speed ( p = 0.022 ) , reduced swing-time variability ( p = 0.005 ) , and enhanced cognitive performance during dual tasks while walking or balancing ( p < 0.05 ) . In contrast , no changes were observed for body sway parameters ( p ≥ 0.229 ) . These results demonstrate that AO + MI is efficient to improve motor-cognitive performance after hip surgery . Moreover , only parameters associated with locomotor activities improved whereas balance skills that were not part of the AO + MI intervention were not affected , demonstrating the specificity of training intervention . Overall , utilizing AO + MI during rehabilitation is advised , especially when physical practice is limited
Motor imagery training improves balance and mobility in older adults who do not have a neurological condition .
These results suggest that motor imagery training could be an adjunct to st and ard physiotherapy care in older adults , although it is unclear whether or not the effects are clinical ly worthwhile .
QUESTION Does motor imagery training improve measures of balance , mobility and falls in older adults without a neurological condition ?