Utilization of Motor Imagery Training for Improvement of Balance of Ataxic Children after Medulloblastoma Resection

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of training using motor imagery on balance, gait parameters, and ataxia severity in children after they underwent medulloblastoma tumour resection. Fifty participated children, aged seven–nine years and diagnosed with cerebellar ataxia after medulloblastoma resection were selected from the Tumor Hospital of Cairo University. Two groups of patients were randomly divided: the study group and the control group. The control group received a physical therapy program, whereas the study group received training in motor imagery along with a traditional physical therapy program. Each group was assessed using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (PBBS), and kinematic gait analysis using the Kinovea software. Significant improvements were noted in balance, ataxia, and spatial and temporal gait parameters in both groups, which favoured the study group (P > 0.05). Training in motor imagery is an effective rehabilitation treatment for medulloblastoma resection and may be applied in combination with an appropriate physical therapy. Trial registration : ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT05992207, 08-07-2023. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-024-78900-7.