Abstract
[Purpose] To study the effect of motor imagery by recording the F-wave, which indicates spinal excitability, in patients with a history of falls because of decreased toe flexor strength. [Subjects] Thirty healthy subjects (16 males, 14 females, mean age: 29.2 ± 8.6 years) participated in this study. [Method] The F-wave was recorded with all subjects in a resting state. Subjects were subsequently instructed to contract the left flexor hallucis brevis with maximum effort. After a 5-min rest period, subjects were asked to imagine the muscle contraction. F-waves were recorded at 0, 5, 10, and 15 min after completion of the motor imagery exercise. [Result] An upward trend was observed in the persistence of the F-response and F/M amplitude ratio during imagery. This trend was more evident during imagery than at rest. [Conclusion] Application of motor imagery has potential for the prevention of falls, as part of fall avoidance therapy.
