Children with unilateral cerebral palsy show diminished implicit motor imagery with the affected hand. (11th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jongsma, Marijtje L A; Baas, C Marjolein; Sangen, Anouk F M; Aarts, Pauline B M; van der Lubbe, Rob H J; Meulenbroek, Ruud G J; Steenbergen, Bert
• Is Part Of: Developmental medicine & child neurology. Volume 58:Number 3(2016:Mar.)
• Page Start: 277
• Page End: 284
• Publication Date: 2015-06-11
• Subjects: Child development -- Periodicals; Pediatric neurology -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.12819
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0012-1622

Abstract

Abstract : Aim: Motor imagery refers to the mental simulation of a motor action without producing an overt movement. Implicit motor imagery can be regarded as a first‐person kinesthetic perceptual judgement, and addresses the capacity to engage into the manipulation of one's body schema. In this study, we examined whether children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) are able to engage in implicit motor imagery. Method: A modified version of the hand laterality judgment task was employed. Erroneous responses, reaction times, and event‐related potentials from the electroencephalograph were analysed. Results: In 13 children with typical development (mean age 10y 7mo, SD 1y 2mo; seven male, six female), we observed the classic rotation direction effect. Specifically, when comparing outward rotated with inward rotated hand pictures, decreased accuracy and increased response times were observed. Event‐related potentials analyses of the electroencephalogram revealed a more marked N1 and an enhanced rotation‐related negativity. Interpretation: These findings suggest that an implicit motor imagery strategy was used to solve the task. However, in 10 children with unilateral CP (mean age 10y 7mo, SD 2y 5mo; five male, five female), these effects were observed only when the less‐affected hand was involved. This observation suggests that children with CP could benefit from visual training strategies. What this paper adds: Implicit motor imagery was studied in unilateral cerebral palsy. Behavioural data and event‐related potentials quantified implicit motor imagery capacity. Children with unilateral cerebral palsy engaged in implicit motor imagery. However, implicit motor imagery was compromised for the affected hand. These findings might increase our understanding of body schema development. This article is commented on by Cheron on pages223–224 of this issue.