Motor Imagery Training clinical trials

Effects of Motor Imagery on Autonomic Function

Most studies on motor imagery suggested the effects of motor imagery are related to neuroplastic changes in the brain. In addition to that the neuroplastic changes, it is thought that motor imagery can alter metabolic responses just like in actual exercise. However, the level of evidence about the effect of motor imagery on autonomic functions is limited. The aims of this study; 1. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effects of activating and relaxing kinesthetic motor imagery on autonomic function in healthy individuals and to compare these two methods. 2. The secondary aim of this study is to explore the effects of these methods on motor imagery skills of individuals will also be investigated. The participants will randomly be allocated into three groups: (1) Activating kinesthetic motor imagery training, (2) Relaxing kinesthetic motor imagery training, and (3) Control group. Participants in the activating kinesthetic motor imagery training group will imagine high effort exercises (e.g. planking, boxing, jumping, squats, push-ups) in the sessions in home using the study audio-video motor imagery script. The relaxing kinesthetic motor imagery training group will imagine relaxing (low effort) exercises (e.g. breathing exercises, stretching, body awareness exercises) in home using the study audio-video motor imagery script. Prior the sessions, the participants will receive an introductory lecture about motor imagery. The intervention groups will practise 5 times per week for 17 minutes per day for 2 weeks. Phone calls will be performed for support and as a reminder for the assessment (after one week). The control group will receive no specific training. Data will be collected at baseline and after the two-week intervention by masked outcome assessors.