Understanding a Cognitive Function Related to Inconsistency of Prediction with Motor Imagery and Visual Feedback during Mirror Therapy

Abstract

Mirror Visual Feedback (MVF) with a mirror box and Virtual Reality based MVF
(VR-MVF) are known as one of several therapies within a rehabilitation for improve-
ment of motor function after stroke and pain control. Our paper focuses on cognitive
functions of temporal consistency between prediction with motor imagery and visual in-
formation related to motor movements in using MVF and VR-MVF because of common
features of the both MVFs. Healthy participants tried completing an experimental task
to synchronize prediction of visual change of motor movements with motor imagery and
visual information about motor movements in a virtual environment resembling VR-
MVF. In the experimental tasks, visual information was provided in two conditions
which are temporal delayed and not delayed. We evaluated that success and failure of
twelve trials in experimental tasks, cortical activations measured with functional Mag-
netic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and subjective experience collected by questionnaire
during performing the experimental tasks. The participants could complete the consis-
tency prediction of visual change and visual information in motor movements on the
virtual environment. We found that prediction error is perceived when the prediction of
visual change in motor movement is not consistent with visual information about mo-
tor movement, and there are interindividual variability in the task completion related
to the consistency. This suggests temporal consistency between prediction with motor
imagery and visual information related to motor movement may be able to contribute
motor learning on VR-MVF.