A Pilot Study to Investigate the Effect of Motor Imagery on Dynamic Balance of Asymptomatic Students

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
This study intended to investigate the effect of imagining a movement task on dynamic balance of sedentary university students. Two groups with good mental imaging ability were studied; one group receiving instructions on mental imagery and the other served as a control receiving no particular intervention. Any improvement in the balance ability was measured using the star excursion balance test (SEBT); for it has good to excellent test-retest reliability and validity as established by several researchers.

Detailed Description
-----------------
Motor imagery (MI) refers to a cognitive process during which the representation of a specific motor action is internally simulated without producing an overt body movement. Motor imagery is now widely used as a technique to enhance motor learning and to enhance recovery during rehabilitation of various conditions such as sports injuries, stroke, etc. Several studies have also shown improvement in strength, function, and use of both upper and lower extremities in chronic stroke. Present study aimed to identify its effectiveness in improving dynamic balance of individuals without any clinical problem. Such improvement, if any, may be useful in early balance and proprioceptive training during the maximum protection phase of joint injuries, fractures, or even rehabilitation of other clinical conditions affecting balance. It may have benefits in maintaining / improving movements in athletes after injuries as well as the general less active population, including the elderly population.

Official Title
-----------------
A Pilot Study to Investigate the Effect of Motor Imagery on Dynamic Balance of Asymptomatic University Students: An Experimental Study

Conditions
-----------------
Balance

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: Mental Motor Imagery


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: No prior involvement in any physical or mental balance training Good mental imaging ability as determined using the motor imagery questionnaire Exclusion Criteria: neuromusculoskeletal condition that may alter balance vestibular disorders or VBA related disorders painful conditions of the body H/o seizure, schizophrenia, meningitis, migraine, diplopia, spinal injuries, lower extremity injuries

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 25 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: One group received Mental Motor Imagery training, and the other group acted as a control with no specific intervention.
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Motor Imagery (MI)<br>Those meeting the inclusion criteria were selected (n=22). Each participant was necessary to complete the Movement Imagery Questionnaire in a quiet room. Finally, each participant assigned a score by using a 7-point scale regarding the ease/difficulty associated with representing each movement mentally. Next their baseline balance measurement was performed using the SEBT. Later this group had 9 motor imagery sessions, each session for 15 minutes, 3 sessions (alternate days) per week for a total of 3 weeks. Reassessment of balance was done after every 3 sessions. | Other: Mental Motor Imagery<br> <br> |
| No Intervention: Control (C)<br>Those meeting the inclusion criteria were selected (n=10). Baseline measurement of SEBT was done on day 1, end of week 1, end of week 2 and end of week 3. | |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dynamic Balance | Ability to balance while performing a task i.e. lower limb reach distance is various directions measured using star excursion balance test | 24 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Time for improvement in balance | Time required to observe a significant improvement in balance | 7 to 24 days | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
SEBT, Mental motor imagery