Effectiveness of Motor Imagery on Physical Therapy: Neurophysiological Aspects of Motor Imagery

Abstract

Immediate enrollment in physical therapy and facilitation of the spinal motor neuron excitability are very important. We previously suggested that the F-wave parameters were significantly increased during motor imagery. Thus, motor imagery is a beneficial method to facilitate the spinal motor neuron excitability for patients with various motor dysfunctions. We also indicated that the imagined muscle contraction strength may not affect the spinal motor neuron excitability. Additionally, kinesthetic imagery can more facilitate the spinal motor neuron excitability; however, longer duration of motor imag - ery may decrease the spinal motor neuron excitability. Thus, when applying motor imag ery to physical therapy, slight imagined muscle contraction strength may be sufficient to facilitate the spinal motor neuron excitability, and the duration and strategy of imagery should be considered.