Dynamic Neuro-Cognitive Imagery Improves Mental Imagery Ability, Disease Severity, and Motor and Cognitive Functions in People with Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

People with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience kinesthetic deficits, which affect motor and nonmotor functions, including mental imagery. Imagery training is a recommended, yet underresearched, approach in PD rehabilitation. Dynamic Neuro-Cognitive Imagery (DNI™) is a codified method for imagery training. Twenty subjects with idiopathic PD (Hoehn and Yahr stages I–III) were randomly allocated into DNI training (experimental; n = 10) or in-home learning and exercise program (control; n = 10). Both groups completed at least 16 hours of training within two weeks. DNI training focused on anatomical embodiment and kinesthetic awareness. Imagery abilities, disease severity, and motor and nonmotor functions were assessed pre- and postintervention. The DNI participants improved (p < .05) in mental imagery abilities, disease severity, and motor and spatial cognitive functions. Participants also reported improvements in balance, walking, mood, and coordination, and they were more physically active. Both groups strongly agreed they enjoyed their program and were more mentally active. DNI training is a promising rehabilitation method for improving imagery ability, disease severity, and motor and nonmotor functions in people with PD. This training might serve as a complementary PD therapeutic approach. Future studies should explore the effect of DNI on motor learning and control strategies.

The efficacy of dance for improving motor impairments, non-motor symptoms, and quality of life in Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Mental imagery ability, the cognitive process involved in creating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic images in the mind [76], is another promising tool in PD rehabilitation [77] that may be improved through dance. Dance instructors often use imagery to convey the desired movement quality during teaching and encourage visualization during movement execution, thus it would be interesting to investigate if these skills impart benefits on body schema awareness.…”

“…Dance instructors often use imagery to convey the desired movement quality during teaching and encourage visualization during movement execution, thus it would be interesting to investigate if these skills impart benefits on body schema awareness. Notably, no studies included in this review assessed the impact of dance on proprioception or motor imagery abilities, which are sensory deficits in PD [77]. Future research should also consider the role of action observation and imitation in the context of dance classes, which may be contributing to positive physical and emotional effects [78].…”

Parkinson’s Disease Rehabilitation: Effectiveness Approaches and New Perspectives

“…In many people, this procedure can help or improve motor performance. This strategy has the potential to increase the function of both the motor cortex and the spinal neurons, resulting in improved muscle function [79,80]. Thus, it is an important technique in motor learning and control, and although it has its origin in sports science, it has been introduced into the field of neurorehabilitation.…”

“…Specifically in individuals with Parkinson's disease, this approach has shown to be beneficial to motor (measured by UPRDS-III-motor signs) and cognitive functions [79].…”

“Will you draw me a pelvis?ˮ Dynamic neuro-cognitive imagery improves pelvic schema and graphic-metric representation in people with Parkinsonʼs Disease: A randomized controlled trial

“…Dynamic Neuro-Cognitive Imagery (DNI; also known as "The Franklin Method" 6 ) is a systematic imagery-based training method for postural and movement retraining. 39 DNI teaches participants functional human anatomy and biomechanics, and how to integrate this knowledge into movement and activities of daily living. DNI emphasizes kinesthetic and cognitive self-awareness, thus addressing and promoting more accurate body schema.…”