Imagery use in rehabilitation after the knee joint arthroscopy

Abstract

Background: The objective of the study was to assess the efficiency of visualization training based on motivating instructions of a general character in order to increase the knee joint mobility, reduce pain and increase the quadriceps muscle mass of the thigh in patients after the knee joint arthroscopy. Material/Methods: F10 outpatient clinic patients after arthroscopy of the knee joint (average age 35 yrs) were subject to research. Physiotherapeutic treatment comprised an improvement program to increase the range of flexion in the knee joint (full ROM), align limbs circumference and reduce pain. The research group was divided into 2 subgroups. In group I, the control group, improving exercises and physical treatment were applied, while in group II, the experimental one, improvement and physical treatment program was expanded with visualization. The sample selection was random. Results: The research showed that, irrespective of the time after operation, the experimental group felt less pain than the control one, when the latter used classical methods of joint improvement. It was also stated that regardless of the time after operation, the group using visualization achieved greater improvement in the knee flexion than the standard group. The scientists also claimed that the increase in post-operative limb circumference depended on the applied therapeutic method. In the group with a visualization program a linear growth of limb circumference with the passage of time was observed. The experimental group achieved greater improvement in the post-operative leg circumference than the control group. Conclusions: The study shows that visualization may be an effective supplement of a therapeutic procedure; however, deeper evaluation of its efficacy at different stages of patient’s improvement requires further research and observations.

The effect of motor imagery and action observation in the rehabilitation of lower limb injuries: A scoping review

“…MI and/or action observation have been established to improve motor learning and activate brain areas corresponding to motor planning and voluntary movement. 31 In the present scoping review, we found 15 studies 16–30 applying these two techniques in rehabilitation, with six articles implementing action observation training, 16–21 eight articles employing MI, 22–28,30 and only one article studying combining MI with action observation in their protocol. 29 The benefits associated with using action observation in rehabilitation were related to an improvement in performing daily life activities.…”

“…The majority of studies which employed MI interventions used functional tests, 22,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30] with MI training demonstrated to lead to improvements in several test scores (Table 3). Improvements in the ability to perform daily life activity, range of motion, 23,26,28 perception of pain, 24,27 muscle strength, 25,26,30 electromyography, 22 and neurobiology/physiological factors, 23,24 were observed. The visualization interventions 18,23 resulted in improvements in the ability to perform daily life activity, range of motion, neurobiology/physiological factors, and time to discharge.…”

“…Improvements in the ability to perform daily life activity, range of motion, 23,26,28 perception of pain, 24,27 muscle strength, 25,26,30 electromyography, 22 and neurobiology/physiological factors, 23,24 were observed. The visualization interventions 18,23 resulted in improvements in the ability to perform daily life activity, range of motion, neurobiology/physiological factors, and time to discharge. The sub-group analysis of all reported outcomes is shown in Table 3.…”

“…In seven of the included studies, 19–23,28,30 the perception of pain remained unchanged after receiving the cortical training interventions. It is possible that immobilization and disuse of the injured limb after surgery could lead to decreased corticomotor excitability.…”

Effect of workshops for coaches on the motor ability of balance in children practicing sports in late childhood

“…The findings of Choi et al [ 20 ] indicated that both physical balance training with visual feedback and mental balance training with motor imagery were effective for healthy adults. For instance, mental training based on visualization may influence the athlete’s functional state; moreover, when reducing or increasing psychophysical stimulation, visualization-based mental training may affect one’s emotional states [ 21 ]. Some studies suggest that mental training could be used effectively to improve motor skills or task performance because of its lower energy consumption than physical training [ 22 ].…”