The effect of continuous motor imagery on the accuracy of movement and the excitability of spinal neural function: a 5-day study of a single participant

Abstract

This study examined the effect of continuous motor imagery on the accuracy of movement and assessed the relationship between the accuracy of movement and the excitability of spinal neural function in a healthy 25-year-old man. The F wave was recorded under three conditions: at rest, with the participant holding a pinch sensor, and during motor imagery. The participant practiced the pinching movement at 30% of maximum voluntary contraction for 1 min. The accuracy of movement was assessed before and after motor imagery and the values were compared. The results show that the F-wave persistence and F/M amplitude ratio tended to increase during motor imagery compared to the values recorded in the resting and sensor-holding conditions, and the accuracy of movement tended to increase during continuous motor imagery. In addition, the excitability of the spinal neural function may be related to the accuracy of movement.