Motor imagery ability of patients with lower-limb amputation: exploring the course of rehabilitation effects

Background Amputation of a lower-limb results in a severe decrease of functional mobility that deeply alters independent living. Motor imagery (MI) refers to the mental representation of an action without engaging its actual execution. The repetitive use of MI has been shown to contribute to promote motor recovery and phantom-limb pain alleviation. Aim Given the importance of invoking accurate images to benefit from MI practice, and considering the link between motor capacities and MI, the present study investigated the effect of a rehabilitation program on MI ability in patients with lower-limb amputation. Design Observational and longitudinal study. Setting Patients recruited from the Amputation program at the Institut de Readaptation en Deficience Physique de Quebec (IRDPQ), in Quebec City, Canada. Population Patients with trans-tibial or transfemoral amputation, following a rehabilitation program as outpatients. Methods MI ability of the patients was measured at three different time points along the course of physical therapy. Results The data revealed a positive effect of the rehabilitation program on MI accuracy of locomotor tasks, and greater MI vividness and accuracy for single-joint movements that patients were still able to physically perform. Conclusions These findings suggest that MI abilities and actual motor performance are mirrored in a congruent fashion. Clinical rehabilitation impact Therapists should consider this critical aspect when including MI practice in rehabilitation programs among patients with lower-limb amputation.