Dynamic Neuro-Cognitive Imagery Improves Mental Imagery Ability, Disease Severity, and Motor and Cognitive Functions in People with Parkinson's Disease

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Amit Abraham, Emory University; Ariel Hart, Emory University; Isaac Andrade, Emory University; Madeleine E. Hackney, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2018-03-14
• Publisher: Hindawi Publishing Corporation
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2018 Amit Abraham et al.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/6168507
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Neural Plasticity
• ISSN: 2090-5904
• Volume: 2018
• Start Page: 6168507
• End Page: 6168507
• Grant/Funding Information: The Emory Center for Health in Aging supported this study.; A Department of Veterans Affairs Career Development award (N0870W) supported Madeleine E. Hackney.
• Keywords: INTEGRATION; Neurosciences & Neurology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Neurosciences; QUESTIONNAIRE; RATING-SCALE; GO TEST; GAIT DISORDERS; PHYSICAL PRACTICE; PERFORMANCE; OLDER-ADULTS; Science & Technology; INDIVIDUALS; BODY-IMAGE
• Research Categories: Biology, Neuroscience

Abstract

People with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience kinesthetic deficits, which affect motor and nonmotor functions, including mental imagery. Imagery training is a recommended, yet underresearched, approach in PD rehabilitation. Dynamic Neuro-Cognitive Imagery (DNI™) is a codified method for imagery training. Twenty subjects with idiopathic PD (Hoehn and Yahr stages I-III) were randomly allocated into DNI training (experimental; n = 10) or in-home learning and exercise program (control; n = 10). Both groups completed at least 16 hours of training within two weeks. DNI training focused on anatomical embodiment and kinesthetic awareness. Imagery abilities, disease severity, and motor and nonmotor functions were assessed pre- and postintervention. The DNI participants improved (p < .05) in mental imagery abilities, disease severity, and motor and spatial cognitive functions. Participants also reported improvements in balance, walking, mood, and coordination, and they were more physically active. Both groups strongly agreed they enjoyed their program and were more mentally active. DNI training is a promising rehabilitation method for improving imagery ability, disease severity, and motor and nonmotor functions in people with PD. This training might serve as a complementary PD therapeutic approach. Future studies should explore the effect of DNI on motor learning and control strategies.