Cervical Spinal Lesion, Completeness of Injury, Stress, and Depression Reduce the Efficiency of Mental Imagery in People With Spinal Cord Injury.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to assess the relationships of (1) clinical variables (age, level of injury, time since injury [TSI], and completeness of injury) and (2) psychological variables (stress and depression) with mental imagery ability in individuals with spinal cord injury.

STUDY

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study. Participants with spinal cord injury (N = 130) were requested to fill the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire and Vividness of Motor Imagery Questionnaire. They also completed the Perceived Stress Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire 9 for the assessment of stress and depression, respectively.

RESULTS

Mental imagery scores were found to be significantly low in cervical injuries (P < 0.001) as compared with thoracic injuries (P < 0.001). Furthermore, higher levels of spinal injuries resulted in lower mental imagery scores. Completeness of injury (according to Asia Impairment Scale) also had a significant relationship (P < 0.001) with the mental imagery ability among spinal cord injury participants. Presence of stress (P < 0.001) and depression (P < 0.001) also associated with reduced efficiency of mental imagery in these individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

Injury type and psychological factors were associated with mental imagery in SCI patients. Imagery-based interventions should be designed after consideration of identified factors yielding effect on their outcomes.

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CME

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this article, the reader should be able to: (1) Determine the impact of clinical variables such as level of injury, completeness and chronicity of injury on mental imagery ability in spinal cord injury; (2) Discuss the role of stress and depression on mental imagery ability in spinal cord injury; and (3) Describe the various dimensions of mental imagery ability and its variability among individuals who have spinal cord injury.

LEVEL: Advanced.

ACCREDITATION: The Association of Academic Physiatrists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.The Association of Academic Physiatrists designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.