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Motor imagery ability in patients with functional dystonia
Aleksandra Tomić1, Milica Ječmenica Lukić1, Igor Petrović1
1Movement Disorders Department, Clinic for Neurology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Dr Subotića starijeg 6, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića starijeg 8, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|September 8, 2024
Summary
Patients with functional dystonia (FD) exhibit poorer motor imagery (MI) skills compared to organic dystonia (OD). This suggests MI training could be beneficial for dystonia rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Movement Disorders
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Motor imagery (MI) is mental recreation of movement, enhancing motor performance, learning, and neural plasticity.
- Dystonia is a complex sensorimotor disorder characterized by altered movement execution.
- Investigating MI in dystonia subtypes can elucidate underlying mechanisms and inform treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare motor imagery (MI) ability in patients with functional dystonia (FD) versus organic dystonia (OD).
- To analyze the relationship between MI and altered movement execution in dystonia.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study included 46 patients (22 FD, 24 OD).
- MI ability was assessed using the KVIQ-20 questionnaire.
- Standardized motor, cognitive, and psychiatric scales were administered.
Main Results:
- FD patients scored significantly lower on visual and kinaesthetic MI scales (KVIQ-20) than OD patients.
- FD patients demonstrated MI impairment across various body segments.
- Both groups preferred an internal perspective for imagining movements.
Conclusions:
- Functional dystonia is associated with global deficits in visual and kinaesthetic motor imagery.
- Motor imagery enhancement techniques may offer a potential therapeutic avenue for dystonia rehabilitation.
