Effect of motor imagery in the rehabilitation of burn patients.

Full Abstract

Although there is ample evidence that motor imagery (MI) improves motor performance after CNS injury, it is still unknown whether MI may enhance motor recovery after peripheral injury and most especially in the rehabilitation of burn patients. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 2-week MI training program combined with conventional rehabilitation on the recovery of motor functions in handed burn patients. Fourteen patients admitted to the Medical Burn Center were requested to take part in the study and were randomly assigned to the imagery or the control group. Behavioral data related to the ability to perform each successive step of three manual motor sequences were collected at five intervals during the medical procedure. The results provided evidence that MI may facilitate motor recovery, and the belief in the effectiveness of MI was strong in all patients. MI may substantially contribute to improve the efficacy of conventional rehabilitation programs. Hence, this technique should be considered as a reliable alternative method to help burn patients to recover motor functions.

Author information

Author/s: Guillot, A (A); Lebon, F (F); Vernay, M (M); Girbon, J P (JP); Doyon, J (J); Collet, C (C);

Affiliation: Centre de Recherche et d'Innovation sur le Sport, Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, Université de Lyon, Villeurbanne Cedex, France.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal: Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association (J Burn Care Res), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2009 Jul-Aug; vol 30 (issue 4) : pp 686-93

Dates: Created 2009/07/10; Completed 2009/08/27;

PMID: 19506494, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 8/27/2009, IMS Date: )

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