Objective: To compare the effect of training between Mental Practice (MP) and Physical Practice (PP) on the strength of the flexor muscle of fingers in two sisters with cerebellar atrophy.

Background: Due to the evidence in neural plasticity in both cortical cerebellar level as in your intrinsec nuclei, is possible to affirm that subjects with cerebellar lesions can be beneficiary from mental practice as a therapeutic form in acquisition of motor skills and thus on gains of muscle strength.

Methods: The patients underwent an exercise program with Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) of the upper limbs – a participant performed mentally (condition MP) and the other held physically (PP condition). The training consisted of 10 sessions, 2 times per week for 5 weeks. Muscle strength of flexors of fingers was measured using a dynamometer, before the start of every session, and after 17 days of completion of training.

Results: The patients who underwent MP and PP showed a gain of 42% and 10%, respectively, on the dominant hand. On follow-up assessment after 17 days of follow up, both kept their beneficial results, and the patient who did MP showed a 12% gain in muscle strength.

Conclusions: The MP applied in isolation, promoted greater gains in muscle strength of the flexor muscle of fingers compared to PP of PNF exercises conducted by two sister with cerebellar atrophy, suggesting that individuals with cerebellar disorders can also be benefited by the MP as a therapeutic adjunct to PP.

« Back to 2016 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/comparison-of-mental-practice-and-proprioceptive-neuromuscular-facilitation-in-sisters-with-cerebellar-atrophy/