Abstract
[Purpose] We investigated the effect of motor imagery of the non-trained hand on the excitability of spinal neural function. [Subjects and Methods] We enrolled 14 healthy subjects. First, we recorded the F-wave at rest with participants in the relaxed position. Next, they practiced correct left-hand thenar muscle activity at 30% of maximum voluntary contraction. Three minutes later, motor imagery of the left hand movement was performed, following which the F-wave was recorded again in the relaxed position. On a different day, the participants practiced left-hand thenar muscle activity again. Motor imagery of the right hand was performed in a similar manner to during left hand practice, and the F-wave was simultaneously recorded in the right-hand (non-trained hand) thenar muscle. [Results] Persistence was significantly increased by motor imagery. However, relative F-wave values did not differ between the trained and non-trained hands. [Conclusion] Motor imagery of the non-trained hand is effective as well as motor imagery of the trained hand.
