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Stroke is a debilitating clinical condition resulting from a brain infarction or hemorrhage that poses significant challenges for motor function restoration. Previous studies have shown the potential of applying transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to improve neuroplasticity in patients with neurological diseases or disorders. By modulating the cortical excitability, tDCS can enhance the effects of conventional therapies. While upper-limb recovery has been extensively studied, research on lower limbs is still limited, despite their important role in locomotion, independence, and good quality of life. As the life and social costs due to neuromuscular disability are significant, the relatively low cost, safety, and portability of tDCS devices, combined with low-cost robotic systems, can optimize therapy and reduce rehabilitation costs, increasing access to cutting-edge technologies for neuromuscular rehabilitation. This study explores a novel approach by utilizing the following processes in sequence: tDCS, a motor imagery (MI)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) with virtual reality (VR), and a motorized pedal end-effector. These are applied to enhance the brain plasticity and accelerate the motor recovery of post-stroke patients. The results are particularly relevant for post-stroke patients with severe lower-limb impairments, as the system proposed here provides motor training in a real-time closed-loop design, promoting cortical excitability around the foot area (Cz) while the patient directly commands with his/her brain signals the motorized pedal. This strategy has the potential to significantly improve rehabilitation outcomes. The study design follows an alternating treatment design (ATD), which involves a double-blind approach to measure improvements in both physical function and brain activity in post-stroke patients. The results indicate positive trends in the motor function, coordination, and speed of the affected limb, as well as sensory improvements. The analysis of event-related desynchronization (ERD) from EEG signals reveals significant modulations in Mu, low beta, and high beta rhythms. Although this study does not provide conclusive evidence for the superiority of adjuvant mental practice training over conventional therapy alone, it highlights the need for larger-scale investigations.

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INTRODUCTION: Clinical motor skills are essential to train dental students. There is evidence that imagery serves to acquire and improve motor skills, but there is scarce information on its application in dental education. In order to broadly map the available evidence and to detect knowledge gaps in the mental training used to develop motor skills in dentistry, a scoping review was conducted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A structured search was conducted to identify relevant references from the Web of Science, Scopus and MEDLINE/PubMed databases for studies addressing mental training methods applied to develop motor skills in dentistry. RESULTS: A total of 758 articles were screened and four were selected, all of which were randomized clinical trials. Three studies investigated the effectiveness of visual imagery, and one investigated kinesthetic imagery. The research theme identified was motor skill acquisition. CONCLUSION: The reviewed studies indicate the usefulness of mental training for skill acquisition in dentistry. To improve the generalizability of the results, further research with standardized mental training on motor skills in dentistry is needed.

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Jiménez Díaz, J., Morera-Castro, M., Chaves-Castro, K., Portuguez-Molina, P., Araya-Vargas, G. y Salazar, W. (2022). Práctica mental, física o combinada en el desempeño y aprendizaje motor: una respuesta meta-analítica. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 20(2), 1-37. En el proceso de adquisición de destrezas motrices la práctica es un elemento fundamental por que facilita el aprendizaje; esta práctica puede ser de dos tipos: física o mental. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar el tamaño de efecto de la práctica física (PF), práctica mental (PM) y la práctica combinada (PC) a lo largo del proceso de adquisición y retención en el desempeño de las destrezas motrices, utilizando el enfoque meta-analítico y el análisis de posibles variables moderadoras. Se utilizó el modelo de efectos aleatorios para calcular el tamaño de efecto (TE). Se incluyeron 24 estudios y se obtuvo un total de 150 TE, separados en cuatro grupos. En la fase de adquisición se encontró que la PF (TE = 1.75; n = 36; IC = 0.96,3.55; Q = 113; I2 = 92%), la PM (TE = 0.80; n = 36; IC = 0.50,1.09; Q = 108; I 2= 74%) y la PC (TE = 1.78; n = 22; IC = 1.39,2.18; Q = 167; I2 = 79%) mejoraron su desempeño; además, el grupo control (GC) mejoró el desempeño en la adquisición (TE = 0.18; n = 22; IC = 0.02,0.35; Q = 19; I 2= 0%). Una metarregresión indicó que solo la práctica física, mental y combinada predicen significativamente el TE. En la fase de retención, ni la PF (TE = -0.97; n = 9; IC = -0.41,0.02; Q = 12; I2 = 29%), la PM (TE = 0.62; n = 6; IC = -0.19,1.45; Q = 22; I2 = 83%), la PC (TE = -0.01; n = 14; IC = -0.26,0.25; Q = 23; I2 = 46%), ni el GC (TE = -0.15; n = 5; IC = -0.75,0.44; Q = 11; I2 = 66%) presentaron un cambio significativo. Se analizaron las posibles variables moderadoras. Los resultados sugieren que los tres tipos de práctica mejoran en el desempeño en la fase de adquisición; mientras que, en la etapa de retención, favorecen a mantener lo aprendido. La PM, no reemplaza la PF; no obstante, bajo algunas condiciones, se puede complementar la PF con PM.

Jiménez Díaz, J., Morera-Castro, M., Chaves-Castro, K., Portuguez-Molina, P., Araya-Vargas, G. y Salazar, W. (2022). Mental, physical or combined practice in motor performance and learning: a meta-analytical response. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 20(2), 1-37. Practice is a key element in the process of acquiring motor skills, because it facilitates learning. This practice can be of either of two types—physical or mental. The objective of the present study is to determine the extent of effect of physical practice (PF), mental practice (PM) and combined practice (PC) throughout the process of acquisition and retention in the performance of motor skills, using a meta-analytical approach and the analysis of possible moderating variables. The random effect model was used to calculate the extent of the effect (TE). A total 24 studies were included, and a total of 150 TE was obtained, separated in four groups. In the phase of acquisition, it was found that the PF (TE = 1.75; n = 36; IC = 0.96,3.55; Q = 113; I2 = 92%), the PM (TE = 0.80; n = 36; IC = 0.50,1.09; Q = 108; I2 = 74%) and the PC (TE = 1.78; n = 22; IC = 1.39,2.18; Q = 167; I2 = 79%) improved their performance; in addition, the control group (GC) improved the performance in acquisition (TE = 0.18; n = 22; IC = 0.02,0.35; Q = 19; I2 = 0%). A meta-regression indicated that only physical, mental and combined practice significantly predict the TE. In the retention phase, neither the PF (TE = -0.97; n = 9; IC = -0.41,0.02; Q = 12; I2 = 29%), the PM (TE = 0.62; n = 6; IC = -0.19,1.45; Q = 22; I2 = 83%), the PC (TE = -0.01; n = 14; IC = -0.26,0.25; Q = 23; I2 = 46%) or the GC (TE = -0.15; n = 5; IC = -0.75,0.44; Q = 11; I2 = 66%) showed a significant change. Possible moderating variables were analyzed. The results suggest that the three types of practice improve performance in the acquisition phase, while in the retention phase they help to keep what has been learned. The PM does not replace PF; however, PF can be complemented with PM under some conditions.

Jiménez Díaz, J., Morera-Castro, M., Chaves-Castro, K., Portuguez-Molina, P., Araya-Vargas, G. y Salazar, W. (2022). Prática mental, física ou combinada no desempenho e na aprendizagem motora: uma resposta metanalítica. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 20(2), 1-37. No processo de aquisição de destrezas motoras, a prática é um elemento fundamental porque facilita o aprendizado; esta prática pode ser de dois tipos: física ou mental. O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar o tamanho do efeito da prática física (PF), da prática mental (PM) e da prática combinada (PC) durante todo o processo de aquisição e retenção do desempenho das destrezas motoras, usando a abordagem metanalítica e a análise de possíveis variáveis moderadoras. Foi utilizado o modelo de efeitos aleatórios para calcular o tamanho do efeito (TDE). Vinte e quatro estudos foram incluídos e obtidos um total de 150 TDEs, separados em quatro grupos. Na fase de aquisição, PF (TDE = 1,75; n = 36; IC = 0,96,3,55; Q = 113; I2= 92%), PM (TDE = 0,80; n = 36; IC = 0,50,1,09; Q = 108; I 2= 74%) e CP(TDE = 1,78; n = 22; IC = 1,39,2,18; Q = 167; I 2 = 79%) melhoraram seu desempenho; além disso, o grupo de controle (GC) melhorou seu desempenho na aquisição(TDE = 0,18; n = 22; IC = 0,02,0,35; Q = 19; I 2= 0%). Uma meta-regressão indicou que apenas a prática física, mental e combinada prediz significativamente o TDE. Na fase de retenção, nem PF (TDE = -0,97; n = 9; IC = -0,41,0,02; Q = 12; I2= 29%), PM (TDE = 0,62; n = 6; IC = -0,19,1,45; Q = 22; I2 = 83%), PC (TDE = -0,01; n = 14; IC = -0,26,0,25; Q = 23; I2 = 46%), nem o GC (TDE = -0,15; n = 5; IC = -0,75,0,44; Q = 11; I2= 66%) apresentou uma mudança significativa. Foram analisadas as possíveis variáveis moderadoras. Os resultados indicam que os três tipos de prática melhoram o desempenho na fase de aquisição, enquanto na fase de retenção, eles melhoram a retenção do que foi aprendido. A PM não substitui a PF; no entanto, sob algumas condições, a PF pode ser complementada com a PM.

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BACKGROUND: Studies indicate that mental practice can be an adjuvant rehabilitation, improving motor functions. AIM: To synthesize the evidence on the intervention with the mental practice for the rehabilitation of the upper limb after stroke in the context of a dependent task. METHODS: The review was registered on the PROSPERO with protocol number: CRD42020166624. We searched the PubMed, Medline, Embase, Central, PEDro, and Web of Science from randomized clinical trials from 1975 to 2022. A literature review was conducted with 13 studies that synthesized findings on mental practice such as adjuvant rehabilitation in the recovery of the upper limb after stroke based on Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) Motor and action research arm test (ARAT) scores. RESULTS: The sample size was 232 were part of the intervention group and 180 of the control group. The findings no showed results in favor of mental practice after stroke accordingly to ARAT and FMA Motor scores (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Current evidence does not support the use of the mental practice to increase the recovery of the upper limb after stroke, although the evidence is conflicting for some aspects of the technique.

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Background: We investigated the effects of brain-computer interface (BCI) combined with mental practice (MP) and occupational therapy (OT) on performance in activities of daily living (ADL) in stroke survivors. Methods: Participants were randomized into two groups: experimental (n = 23, BCI controlling a hand exoskeleton combined with MP and OT) and control (n = 21, OT). Subjects were assessed with the functional independence measure (FIM), motor activity log (MAL), amount of use (MAL-AOM), and quality of movement (MAL-QOM). The box and blocks test (BBT) and the Jebsen hand functional test (JHFT) were used for the primary outcome of performance in ADL, while the Fugl-Meyer Assessment was used for the secondary outcome. Exoskeleton activation and the degree of motor imagery (measured as event-related desynchronization) were assessed in the experimental group. For the BCI, the EEG electrodes were placed on the regions of FC3, C3, CP3, FC4, C4, and CP4, according to the international 10-20 EEG system. The exoskeleton was placed on the affected hand. MP was based on functional tasks. OT consisted of ADL training, muscle mobilization, reaching tasks, manipulation and prehension, mirror therapy, and high-frequency therapeutic vibration. The protocol lasted 1 h, five times a week, for 2 weeks. Results: There was a difference between baseline and post-intervention analysis for the experimental group in all evaluations: FIM (p = 0.001, d = 0.56), MAL-AOM (p = 0.001, d = 0.83), MAL-QOM (p = 0.006, d = 0.84), BBT (p = 0.004, d = 0.40), and JHFT (p = 0.001, d = 0.45). Within the experimental group, post-intervention improvements were detected in the degree of motor imagery (p < 0.001) and the amount of exoskeleton activations (p < 0.001). For the control group, differences were detected for MAL-AOM (p = 0.001, d = 0.72), MAL-QOM (p = 0.013, d = 0.50), and BBT (p = 0.005, d = 0.23). Notably, the effect sizes were larger for the experimental group. No differences were detected between groups at post-intervention. Conclusion: BCI combined with MP and OT is a promising tool for promoting sensorimotor recovery of the upper limb and functional independence in subacute post-stroke survivors.

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RESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el efecto de la práctica mental kinestésica (PMK) en la fuerza y actividad eléctrica muscular (AEM) del bíceps braquial, luego de un periodo de inmovilización del codo en un grupo de personas adultos jóvenes sanos. Un total de 14 personas (18,64 ± 0,92 años de edad) participaron voluntariamente del estudio, a las cuales se les evaluó la fuerza muscular de prensión y la AEM del bíceps braquial utilizando un dinamómetro de mano y un equipo de electromiografía, respectivamente, antes y después de un periodo de inmovilización del brazo no dominante, y se asignaron aleatoriamente a uno de dos grupos: grupo control (GC) o experimental (GE). El GE realizó PMK: tres series de 15 repeticiones con un minuto de descanso entre series, tres veces al día durante los seis días de inmovilización, mientras que el GC no realizó PKM durante su inmovilización. Al aplicar una prueba de ANOVA de dos vías, no se encontraron diferencias significativas en la fuerza ni en la AEM. Sin embargo, la fuerza del GC disminuyó en 23,75%, mientras que la del GE aumentó en 33,19%. Los resultados sugieren que un periodo de inmovilización del codo de seis días no fue suficiente para que la fuerza ni la AEM disminuyan significativamente, lo que supone que la PMK realizada no es necesaria en periodos menores a seis días.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of kinesthetic mental practice (KMP) on the strength and muscular electrical activity (MEA) of the brachial biceps, after a period of immobilization of the elbow in a group of healthy young adults. A total of 14 volunteer participants (18.64 ± 0.92 years of age) were part in the study. The muscle strength and the AEM of the brachial biceps were assessed using a hand dynamometer and an electromyography equipment, respectively, before and after a period of immobilization of the non-dominant arm. After the pretest, they were randomly assigned to one of two groups: control group (GC) or experimental group (GE). The GE performed 3 sets of 15 repetitions with one-minute rest between sets, three times a day of PMK during the 6 days of immobilization, while the GC did not perform PKM during its immobilization. A 2-way ANOVA test (group x measurement) indicated non-significant differences in strength or AEM. However, the strength of the GC decreased by 23.75%, while increased by 33.19% in the GE. The results suggest that a period of immobilization of the elbow of 6 days was not enough for the strength or the AEM to decrease significantly, which means that the PMK is not necessary in periods of immobilization of less than 6 days.

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BACKGROUND: Stroke is the second leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Motor imagery is a technique that can be utilized in the rehabilitation process to improve the lives of patients with a functional disability acquired by this pathology. AIM: To evaluate the effects of motor imagery as a complementary intervention for the rehabilitation of stroke patients. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review in MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PEDro databases. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used motor imagery as a complementary resource for the rehabilitation of patients affected by stroke, who had motor function and functional independence as outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 1,473 studies found, ten RCTs were included. Regarding the interventions, motor imagery was associated with traditional rehabilitation, virtual reality, physical practice, structured progressive circuit class therapy, and electromyography. The upper and lower extremity performance were accessed through the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and gait speed, respectively. Although the practice of motor imagery at least twice a week during three weeks showed to be effective in improving the motor performance of post-stroke patients, the studies' protocols present a high heterogeneity, with training session times lasting between 30 to 180 minutes and a post-stroke invention window of one to 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Motor imagery has been shown to be an efficacious technique in the treatment of post-stroke patients when used as a complement to traditional rehabilitation techniques. However, greater standardization of interventions and studies with higher methodological quality are required to determine further conclusions.

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Physical and mental training are associated with positive effects on executive functions throughout the lifespan. However, evidence of the benefits of combined physical and mental regimes over a sedentary lifestyle remain sparse. The goal of this study was to investigate potential mechanisms, from a source-resolved event-related-potential perspective, that could explain how practicing long-term physical and mental exercise can benefit neural processing during the execution of an attention switching task. Fifty-three healthy community volunteers who self-reported long-term practice of Tai Chi (n = 10), meditation + exercise (n = 16), simple aerobics (n = 15), or a sedentary lifestyle (n = 12), aged 47.8 ± 14.6 (SD) were included in this analysis. All participants undertook high-density electroencephalography recording during a switch paradigm. Our results indicate that people who practice physical and mental exercise perform better in a task-switching paradigm. Our analysis revealed an additive effect of the combined practice of physical and mental exercise over physical exercise only. In addition, we confirmed the participation of frontal, parietal and cingulate areas as generators of event-related-potential components (N2-like and P3-like) commonly associated to the performance of switch tasks. Particularly, the N2-like component of the parietal and frontal domains showed significantly greater amplitudes in the exercise and mental training groups compared with aerobics and sedentary groups. Furthermore, we showed better performance associated with greater N2-like amplitudes. Our multivariate analysis revealed that activity type was the most relevant factor to explain the difference between groups, with an important influence of age, and body mass index, and with small effects of educational years, cardiovascular capacity, and sex. These results suggest that chronic combined physical and mental training may confer significant benefits to executive function in normally aging adults, probably through more efficient early attentional processing. Future experimental studies are needed to confirm our results and understand the mechanisms on parieto-frontal networks that contribute to the cognitive improvement associated with practicing combined mental and aerobic exercise, while carefully controlling confounding factors, such as age and body mass index.

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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mental practice of motor imagery has shown beneficial effects in stroke recovery. However, there are few clinical trials investigating it on the subacute phase. This study will investigate the effects of mental practice in the mobility of patients with subacute stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomized controlled trial including persons with subacute stroke (<3 months). All participants will receive physical exercises and will be randomly allocated into an experimental group (Mental Practice) or into a control group (cognitive training) for 4 weeks(12 sessions). RESULTS: Primary outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after intervention and will be related to mobility, using Timed Up and Go test and 5 m walking speed test. Whereas secondary outcomes will be muscular strength, biomechanical strategies, mental health and quality of life. CONCLUSION: The beneficial effects that may be found in this trial can be greatly relevant in clinical practice, justifying this scientific question.

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BACKGROUND: Mental practice (MP) through motor imagery is a cognitive training strategy used to improve locomotor skills during rehabilitation programs. Recent works have used MP tasks to investigate the neurophysiology of human gait; however, its effect on functional performance has not been evaluated. In the present study, the influence of gait-oriented MP tasks on the rehabilitation process of gait in transtibial amputees was investigated by assessing the vertical (V), anterior-posterior (AP), and medio-lateral (ML) ground reaction forces (GRFs) and the time duration of the support phase of the prosthetic limb. METHODS: Unilateral transtibial amputees, who were capable of performing motor imagination tasks (MIQ-RS score ≥4), were randomly divided into two groups: Group A (n = 10), who performed functional gait-oriented MP combined with gait training, and Group B (n = 5), who performed non-motor task MP. The MP intervention was performed in the first-person perspective for 40 min, 3 times/week, for 4 weeks. The GRF outcome measures were recorded by a force platform to evaluate gait performance during 4 distinct stages: at baseline (BL), 1 month before the MP session; Pre-MP, 1-3 days before the MP session; Post-MP, 1-3 days after the MP session; and follow-up (FU), 1 month after MP session. The gait variables were compared inter- and intra-group by applying the Mann-Whitney and Friedman tests (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: All volunteers exhibited a homogenous gait pattern prior to MP intervention, with no gait improvement during the BL and Pre-MP stages. Only Group A showed significant improvements in gait performance after the intervention, with enhanced impact absorption, as indicated by decreased first V and AP peaks; propulsion capacity, indicated by increasing second V and AP peaks; and balance control of the prosthetic limb, indicated by decreasing ML peaks and increasing duration of support. This gait pattern persisted until the FU stage. CONCLUSIONS: MP combined with gait training allowed transtibial amputees to reestablish independent locomotion. Since the effects of MP were preserved after 1 month, the improvement is considered related to the specificity of the MP tasks. Therefore, MP may improve the clinical aspect of gait rehabilitation when included in a training program.

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Stroke is one of the major causes of disability in the world. Due to the extended lifetime of the world's population, the number of people affected by stroke has increased substantially over the last years. Stroke may lead to sensorimotor deficits, usually causing hemiplegia or hemiparesia. In order to reduce motor deficits and accelerate functional recovery, MP combined with motor rehabilitation was introduced to the rehabilitation process of post-stroke patients. Evidence has shown that MP combining with motor rehabilitation based on activities of daily living was more effective than conventional motor rehabilitation used per se. This combination proved very useful and effective, with significant results in improvement of motor deficits in post-stroke patients. However, further studies must be conducted to determine specific parameters, such as type of imagery, frequency or duration.

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This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of pure motor imagery training (MIT) and its combination with physical practice on learning an aiming task with the more affected arm in adolescents suffering from cerebral palsy. Effect of MIT was evaluated as a function of side of hemiparesis. The experiment was accomplished by 11- to 16-year-old participants (M = 13.58 years), who suffered left (n = 16) or right (n = 15) mild hemiparesis. They were exposed to pure MIT (day 1) followed by physical practice (day 2) on an aiming task demanding movement accuracy and speed. Posttraining movement kinematics of the group receiving MIT were compared with movement kinematics of the control group after receiving recreational activities (day 1) and physical practice (day 2). Kinematic analysis showed that MIT led to decreased movement time and straighter hand displacements to the target. Performance achievements from MIT were increased with further physical practice, leading to enhanced effects on motor learning. Retention evaluation indicated that performance improvement from pure MIT and its combination with physical practice were stable over time. Performance achievements were equivalent between adolescents with either right or left hemiparesis, suggesting similar capacity between these groups to achieve performance improvement from pure imagery training and from its association with physical practice. Our results suggest that motor imagery training is a procedure potentially useful to increase motor learning achievements in individuals suffering from cerebral palsy.

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BACKGROUND: Mental practice (MP) is a cognitive strategy which may improve the acquisition of motor skills and functional performance of athletes and individuals with neurological injuries. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an individualized, specific functional task-oriented MP, when added to conventional physical therapy (PT), promoted better learning of motor skills in daily functions in individuals with chronic stroke (13±6.5 months post-stroke). METHOD: Nine individuals with stable mild and moderate upper limb impairments participated, by employing an A1-B-A2 single-case design. Phases A1 and A2 included one month of conventional PT, and phase B the addition of MP training to PT. The motor activity log (MAL-Brazil) was used to assess the amount of use (AOU) and quality of movement (QOM) of the paretic upper limb; the revised motor imagery questionnaire (MIQ-RS) to assess the abilities in kinesthetic and visual motor imagery; the Minnesota manual dexterity test to assess manual dexterity; and gait speed to assess mobility. RESULTS: After phase A1, no significant changes were observed for any of the outcome measures. However, after phase B, significant improvements were observed for the MAL, AOU and QOM scores (p<0.0001), and MIQ-RS kinesthetic and visual scores (p=0.003; p=0.007, respectively). The significant gains in manual dexterity (p=0.002) and gait speed (p=0.019) were maintained after phase A2. CONCLUSIONS: Specific functional task-oriented MP, when added to conventional PT, led to improvements in motor imagery abilities combined with increases in the AOU and QOM in daily functions, manual dexterity, and gait speed. .

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A prática mental (PM) é um método de treinamento pelo qual a representação interna de uma determinada ação motora é repetida diversas vezes com o objetivo de aumentar a performance motora. O objetivo deste estudo piloto foi avaliar a influência aguda da PM sobre as modificações da atividade cerebral utilizando a análise espectral do potencial relacionado a evento (PRE) e a magnitude quadrática da coerência (MSC) nas bandas de frequências delta, alfa e beta. Seis homens saudáveis (idade entre 20-25 anos) participaram deste estudo. Foram realizadas seis sessões individuais de PM baseada em imaginação motora (IM) de flexão e extensão da metacarpofalangeana do dedo indicador da mão dominante. Cada sessão consistiu de 15 minutos de IM, sendo realizada 2 vezes por semana, durante 3 semanas. Foram realizados registros de sinais de eletroencefalografia (EEG) antes e após as sessões de PM, durante: atividade espontânea; IM e; execução do movimento. Os eletrodos foram colocados nas derivações C3, C4 e Cz, de acordo com o sistema internacional 10-20. A potência do PRE e a MSC foram analisados para a derivação C3. Após o treinamento com a PM houve um aumento significativo (p = 0,03) na potência do PRE (normalizado com a potência da atividade espontânea) na banda delta durante a IM e o movimento do dedo. Além disso, houve aumento estatisticamente significativo da MSC durante a IM (F = 8,85, p = 0,001) e execução do movimento (F = 2,37; p = 0,048). Estes resultados sugerem a necessidade de se avaliar as mudanças na banda delta após a PM em novos estudos.

Mental Practice (MP) is a training method by which internal representation of a motor action is repeated several times to increase the individual's functional performance. This pilot study aimed to assess the acute influence of MI-based MP in oscillatory brain activity changes related to event related potential (ERP) power and magnitude square of coherence (MSC) at delta, alpha and beta frequencies. Six healthy volunteers (aged 20-25 years) participated in this study. One-on-one 15-minute MP training sessions were provided two days per week for three weeks. The MP sessions were performed based on motor imagery (MI) of the metacarpophalangeal flexion and extension of the dominant hand index finger. Electroencephalography signals were recorded before and after the training program, during spontaneous activity, MI and movement. Electrodes were positioned at C3, C4 and Cz locations, in accordance with the 10-20 international system. The ERP power and MSC were analized at C3 derivation. After MP, the ERP power (normalized with the spontaneous activity power) increased especially in delta band during the MI and execution (p = 0.03). After the MP period, MSC values increased for 5 subjects during MI (F = 8.85; p = 0.001) and movement execution (F = 2.37; p = 0.048), in that band. These results suggest the need to evaluate changes in delta band after the PM in new studies.

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Estudos de prática mental com sujeitos novatos apontam sua superioridade à ausência de prática. Entretanto, pré-teste ou familiarização usando prática física podem influenciar o efeito da prática mental. Este estudo investigou os efeitos da prática mental em novatos na tarefa praticada, assim como o posicionamento da prática física em relação à prática mental. Vinte e cinco universitários voluntários praticaram uma tarefa seriada de posicionamento e foram distribuídos em cinco grupos conforme o tipo de prática: física (GPF), mental (GPM), física-mental (GPFM), mental-física (GPMF), e grupo controle (GC) que participou apenas dos testes. Uma Anova não paramétrica aplicada nos testes mostrou superioridade dos grupos com prática física (GPF, GPFM e GPMF) sobre os grupos controle e prática mental. Ao considerar a pequena amostra utilizada, os resultados sugerem que a prática mental em sujeitos novatos depende da prática física para ser efetiva independente de seu posicionamento (antes ou após).

Studies of mental practice with novices pointed out its superiority when compared to no practice at all. However, pre-test as well as familiarization using physical practice can influence the effect from mental practice. This study investigated the effects of mental practice in novice in the practiced task, as well as the location of physical practice in relation to mental practice. Twenty five undergraduate volunteers performed a serial positioning task and they were distributed in five groups in accordance to the type of practice: Physical (GPF), mental (GPM), physical-mental (GPFM), mental-physical (GPMF), and control group (GC) which took part only in tests. A non parametrical Anova applied in tests showed superiority of groups with physical practice (GPF, GPFM, and GPMF) to control and mental practice groups. In considering the small sample, the results suggest that mental practice in novice subjects depends on physical practice to be effective, regardless its location (before or after).

Estudios de práctica mental con sujetos sin experiencia indican su superioridad en comparación a la ausencia de esa la práctica. Entre tanto, pre-test y familiarización usando práctica física pueden influenciar el efecto de la práctica mental. Este estudio investigó los efectos de la práctica mental en novatos en la tarea practicada, bien como el posicionamiento de la práctica física en relación a la práctica mental. Veinticinco universitarios voluntarios practicaron una tarea seriada de posicionamiento y fueron distribuidos en cinco grupos conforme el tipo de práctica: física (GPF), mental (GPM), física-mental (GPFM), grupo mental física (GPMF) y grupo de control (GC) que participó solamente de los testes. Una Anova no paramétrica aplicada en los testes mostró la superioridad de los grupos conforme el tipo de práctica física (GPF, GPFM y GPMF) sobre los grupos de control y de práctica mental. Al considerar que la muestra utilizada fue pequeña, los resultados sugieren que la práctica mental en sujetos novatos depende de la práctica física para ser efectiva, independiente de su posicionamiento (antes o después).

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A prática mental parece contribuir no processo de aprendizagem motora, mas ainda não estão claros os efeitos do posicionamento e da quantidade de prática mental em relação à prática física, sendo este o objetivo do presente estudo. Setenta e dois universitários de ambos os sexos e novatos na tarefa foram distribuídos em seis grupos de prática combinada (física e mental) para a aprendizagem do arremesso do dardo de salão. Na fase de aquisição, os sujeitos realizaram 50 tentativas de prática física e 18, 90 ou 180 tentativas de prática mental (conforme cada grupo) antes ou após a prática física. Dez minutos após a fase de aquisição foram realizados os testes de retenção e transferência. Não foi observada diferença significante entre os grupos nos testes. Os resultados indicaram que a quantidade e o posicionamento da prática mental não influenciaram a aprendizagem do arremesso do dardo de salão.

Mental practice seems to contribute to the motor learning process but it is still not clear the effects of position and amount of mental practice in relation to physical practice, which was the aim of this study. Seventy two undergraduate students of both sexes and novice in the task were assigned in six groups of combined practice (physical and mental) for learning the dart saloon throwing. In acquisition phase, subjects performed 50 trials of physical practice and 18, 90 or 180 trials of mental practice (according to each experimental group) before or after physical practice. Ten minutes after acquisition phase it was performed retention and transfer tests. The results showed that amount and the position of mental practice did not influence dart saloon throwing learning.

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RESUMO

A prática é considerada o fator mais importante em aprendizagem motora e consequentemente organização da prática é o fator mais investigado na área. Existem dois diferentes tipos de prática: mental e física. Prática física é dividida em fracionamento, distribuição e variabilidade de prática. Apesar dos estudos investigarem diferentes tipos de organização da prática separadamente, em situações de ensino e treinamento todas elas interagem na organização da prática. Esta revisão também está organizada da mesma forma, mas ao final foram analisadas as possibilidades de interações.

Practice is considered the most important factor in motor learning and consequently practice schedule is the most investigated factor in the area. There are two different types of practice: mental and physical. Physical practice is divided in fractionated, distributed and variable. Although the studies investigated different types of practice organization separately, in teaching or training situations all of them interact in practice scheduling. This review is organized in a similar way but at the final it was analyzed the possibilities of interactions.

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