Motor Imagery Ability and Cervical Discogenic Pain

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-01-02

Study Completion Date

2024-05-28

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

Background: The purpose of the study was to examine the motor imagery ability and its association with pain, functional status, neck awareness and depression levels in individuals with cervical discogenic pain (CDP).

Methods: Sixty individuals aged between 18-65 were included in the study. Demographic data was recorded, pain and disability were evaluated using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI), motor imagery ability using Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire-20 (KVIQ-20) and mental chronometry. Grip strength, cervical muscle endurance, upper limbs functionality, neck awareness and depression levels were assessed using hydraulic hand dynamometer, cervical muscle endurance tests, Upper Extremity Functional Index-15 (UEFI-15), Fremantle Neck Awareness Questionnaire (FreNAQ), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), respectively.

Related Clinical Trials

Explore similar clinical trials based on study characteristics and research focus.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Central Sensitization and Neuropathic Pain in Lumbar Disc Herniation

NCT06269068

Central Sensitisation

RECRUITING

Sensory and Functional Impairments in Cervical Disc Herniation

NCT07282522

Cervical Disc Herniation

RECRUITING

In Chronic Neck Pain; Kinesiophobia, Neck Awareness Examination of Cognitive and Cognitive Functions at Different Levels of Functionality

NCT05692206

Neck Pain

UNKNOWN

Chronic Neck Pain and Cognitive Function

NCT06504004

Neck Pain Cognitive Symptom

COMPLETED

Left/Right Neck Judgment Performance in Individuals With Neck Pain

NCT05750472

Neck Pain

COMPLETED

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Motor imagery (MI) is defined as the cognitive representation of a body movement without the actual movement. MI depends on both kinesthetic - which require sensory-motor knowledge- and visual strategies - which require visual knowledge of the movement imagined. Kinesthetic MI is the ability to visualize a movement simulation to perceive its direction, speed, and magnitude. This ability requires the activation of neurocognitive mechanisms that underlie the design and execution of voluntary movement. Visual motor imagery occurs through internal or external visual imagery. Internal visual imagery involves visualizing a movement from ones own perspective, while external visual imagery involves seeing a movement from a third persons perspective. Neuroimaging studies revealed that the parts of the brain activating during MI were similar to those which activate while a movement was actually performed. Therefore, activating joint and muscle receptors by MI may increase corticomotor excitability. Moreover, it was demonstrated that subcortical structures were activated through excitability of presynaptic interneurons by MI, i.e. without activating alpha-motor neurons. Activation through MI ensures continuity of movement and improves the quality of desired movements, playing a key role in enhancing motor function and performance.

Individuals with cervical disc pathologies exhibit a reduced fiber density along the corticospinal tract. Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies have shown increased activation in the primary motor and premotor cortices and a loss of activation in the sensory cortex. These changes are related to the severity of the disc pathology. Besides, it was reported that prolonged compression in the cervical spine might lead to atrophy in the sensorimotor cortex and thalamus, giving rise to a functional reorganization, usually result in maladaptive neuroplasticity. Chronic pain, a common finding in cervical disc pathologies, may affect the perception of painful body parts and MI performance, as well as impaired somatotopic representation. In addition to cortical changes, the gradual processing of stimuli by mirror neurons, which generate motor movements, is considered a significant component of learning by imitation and observation. This process forms an important part of MI and is thought to be impaired in individuals with chronic pain. They highlighted that evaluating the MI ability of an individual with chronic neck pain was important for revealing the mental imagery performance.

In individuals with chronic neck pain, it was revealed that the severity of pain and the functional and psychosocial problems caused by the pain, were related to executive functions and working memory. They discovered that MI depends on executive functions. Interference tasks significantly affect the timing of MI. Therefore, it is believed that pain-related symptoms will also negatively impact MI skills. In the literature, studies have demonstrated positive effects of MI training on pain, disability, and fear of movement in individuals with chronic pain. However, it is suggested that factors related to MI ability should be further investigated. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine the relationships between MI ability and pain, functional status, neck awareness and depression levels in individuals with cervical discogenic pain (CDP).

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Motor Imagery Neck Pain Disc Herniation Functional Status

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Observational Model Type

COHORT

Study Time Perspective

CROSS_SECTIONAL

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Control Group

The present study was conducted with individuals aged 18 to 65 years with cervical disc herniation, who were suffered from neck pain lasting for at least 3 months, had a resting pain between 3-7 according to the "Visual Analog Scale" \[4\], and could follow the instructions of a physiotherapist. All individuals initially diagnosed as cervical disc lesion either one level or multilevel lesions, as diagnosed by the neurologist and confirmed by MRI imaging. The individuals with disk degeneration without cervical disk herniation, cervical stenosis and cervical spondylosis were excluded. In addition, individuals who had a history of spinal tumor or head trauma, had a spinal deformity or congenital malformation, had a cervical instability and cervical artery dysfunction, underwent any cervical surgery in the preceding 6 months, musculoskeletal disorders and neuromuscular diseases in the upper extremity and shoulders.

No interventions assigned to this group

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Aged 18 to 65 years with cervical disc herniation, who were suffered from neck pain lasting for at least 3 months,
* Had a resting pain between 3-7 according to the Visual Analog Scale;
* Could follow the instructions of a physiotherapist.

Exclusion Criteria

* The individuals with disk degeneration without cervical disk herniation, cervical stenosis and cervical spondylosis were excluded.
* In addition, individuals who had a history of spinal tumor or head trauma, had a spinal deformity or congenital malformation, had a cervical instability and cervical artery dysfunction, underwent any cervical surgery in the preceding 6 months, musculoskeletal disorders and neuromuscular diseases in the upper extremity and shoulders (rotator cuff tear, very severe myofascial pain syndrome, cervical facet joint pain, carpal tunnel disease, etc.)
* Who were not able to follow the instructions of the therapist were excluded from the study.

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes