Unlocking the Power of Motor Imagery: a Comprehensive Review on Its Application in Alleviating Foot Pain

Overview

Journal Acta Neurol Belg

Publisher Springer

Specialty Neurology

Date 2024 Mar 9

PMID 38460100

Authors

Roberto Tedeschi

Affiliations

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Abstract

Background: Motor imagery is a cognitive process that involves mentally simulating movements without physical execution. It has been studied in the context of foot pain to understand the role of motor cortical reorganization and its impact on motor imagery abilities. However, further research is needed to establish consistent evidence regarding the relationship between motor imagery and foot pain.

Methods: This review analyzed five relevant articles that investigated motor imagery in the context of foot pain. The studies involved participants with various conditions, including leg amputation, chronic leg pain, complex regional pain syndrome, and Achilles tendinopathy. Different methodologies were employed, including motor cortical mapping, foot laterality recognition tasks, EEG recordings, and treatment interventions incorporating motor imagery.

Results: The findings indicated that individuals with leg amputation exhibited functional reorganization in upper limb motor cortical maps, with a breakdown in the inhibitory relationship between foot and hand representations. Participants with chronic leg pain demonstrated slower and less accurate performance on foot laterality recognition tasks compared to healthy controls. Complex regional pain syndrome patients displayed distinct motor imagery strategies and responded differently to first-person and third-person perspectives. EEG studies revealed differences in brain activity during motor imagery tasks under pain-free and pain conditions. Treatment interventions incorporating motor imagery showed promising outcomes in improving functional outcomes and reducing pain levels.

Conclusions: Motor imagery plays a significant role in foot pain conditions, although the evidence is still emerging. The findings suggest that motor imagery abilities may be affected by leg amputation, chronic pain, and complex regional pain syndrome. Further research is needed to establish standardized protocols for assessing motor imagery, identify specific patient populations that may benefit most from motor imagery interventions, and explore long-term effects. Integrating motor imagery into clinical practice has the potential to enhance rehabilitation approaches and improve outcomes in foot pain management.

Citing Articles

The Role of AMPS in Parkinson's Disease Management: Scoping Review and Meta-Analysis.

Tedeschi R, Donati D, Giorgi F Bioengineering (Basel). 2025; 12(1).

PMID: 39851295 PMC: 11763088. DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering12010021.

Rebuilding Stability: Exploring the Best Rehabilitation Methods for Chronic Ankle Instability.

Tedeschi R, Ricci V, Tarantino D, Tarallo L, Catani F, Donati D Sports (Basel). 2024; 12(10).

PMID: 39453248 PMC: 11510844. DOI: 10.3390/sports12100282.

To Operate or Not? Evaluating the Best Approach for First-Time Patellar Dislocations: A Review.

Tedeschi R, Platano D, Giorgi F, Donati D J Clin Med. 2024; 13(18).

PMID: 39336921 PMC: 11432519. DOI: 10.3390/jcm13185434.

Breaking the Cycle of Pain: The Role of Graded Motor Imagery and Mirror Therapy in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

Donati D, Boccolari P, Giorgi F, Berti L, Platano D, Tedeschi R Biomedicines. 2024; 12(9).

PMID: 39335652 PMC: 11428672. DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12092140.

Beyond the smile: a systematic review of diagnostic tools for peripheral facial paralysis.

Tedeschi R, Donati D, Giorgi F Acta Neurol Belg. 2024; 124(6):1805-1822.

PMID: 39198355 PMC: 11614910. DOI: 10.1007/s13760-024-02630-w.

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