Motor learning in neurological rehabilitation : practising skills with movement imagery

For decades already, athletes have been improving their performance by practicing movements in imagination (movement imagery). This research studied if this ‘dry exercise’ also has an effect in rehabilitation. Physiotherapists and occupational therapists have examined this in patients with Parkinson’s disease and in patients after a stroke (CVA). In our (relatively small) studies we could not show that the use of movement imagery is better than regular therapy. Patients indicated, however, that exercising in imagination motivated them and made them less afraid. They also liked being able to exercise safely whenever they wanted. More research and larger studies are necessary to investigate if there are groups of patients that possibly will benefit from movement imagery and to find out the physical, emotional and cognitive effects.