Researchers from the Department of Plastic Surgery of University Medical Center
Groningen, in The Netherlands, conducted a study to see whether practicing motor
imagery during the immobilization period after flexor tendon injury results in a
faster recovery of hand function.

The randomized controlled trial included 28 patients, post-surgery for flexor
tendon repair, who were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a
control group.

The test group practiced imagining the feel of moving of finger flexion
movements during the postoperative dynamic splinting period.

The aspects of hand function were measured with a preparation time test of
finger flexion, in which subjects pressed buttons as fast as possible following
a visual stimulus.

Hand function tests were also used: the Michigan Hand Questionnaire, the visual
analog scale for hand function, kinematic analysis of drawing, active total
motion, and strength.

After the immobilization period, the motor imagery group demonstrated
significantly less preparation time than the control group (P=.024). There was
no significant influence of motor imagery on the other tested hand function
(P>.05). All tests except kinematic analysis (P=.570) showed a significant
improvement across time after the splinting period (P</=.001).

The investigators conclude that motor imagery significantly improves aspects of
hand function, namely movement preparation time, while other modalities of hand
function appear to be unaffected.

Citation: Stenekes MW, Geertzen JH, Nicolai JP, De Jong BM, Mulder T. Effects
of motor imagery on hand function during immobilization after flexor tendon
repair. Archives of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation 2009 Apr (4): pages 553-9
Seth-Deborah Roth CRNA,CCHt,CI
www.hypnotherapyforhealth.com
read my blog at www.hypnotichealth.blogspot.com
as seen on the "MythBusters"


www.sethdeborahroth.isagenix.com