Journal international de neuroréadaptation

Influence of Motor Imagery Incorporating Material Perception on Spinal Anterior Horn Cells

Abstract

Takahiro Takenaka and Yuji Nakazumi

Introduction: We consider that an image of material perception activates a real and vivid motor image in motor imagery (MI) tasks, such as visualizing grasping movements during rehabilitation. However, no studies have examined whether the excitability of spinal neural function is affected by visualizing the tactile perception of the object to grasp. In this study, we measured the excitability of spinal neural function during MI tasks by using F-waves, and examined the influence of visualizing material/tactile perception on the excitability of spinal anterior horn cells. Methods: Task 1, F-waves were recorded while the subject placed his hand lightly on a ball and visualized maximum isometric contraction grasping force in a functional position with isometric opponens pollicis activity. Task 2, F-waves were recorded while the subject placed his hand lightly on a baseball and visualized maximum isometric contraction grasping force in a functional position with isometric opponens pollicis activity, while perceiving the material, including the stitches, of the baseball during the MI. The results of Tasks 1 and 2 were analyzed with a paired t-test. Results: The results also showed that the facilitation was greater in the second task when the subject visualized both the grasping movement as well as perceiving the material, compared to the first task when only the grasping movement was visualized. Conclusion: MI involving material perception influenced the excitability of spinal anterior horn cells. In the future, we plan to examine the usefulness of MI intervention incorporating material perception in many patients with extrapyramidal diseases.