Effectiveness of motor imagery training in women with chronic neck pain: a single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Study Summary

40 women aged between 18 and 65 years with chronic neck pain associated with cervical disc herniation were randomized to receive motor control exercises (MCE) combined with motor imagery training (MIT) or motor control exercises alone. The outcomes of interest were Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT), Pain Beliefs Questionnaire (PBQ) for pain-related beliefs, Upper Extremity Functional Index-15 (UEFI-15), Neck Disability Index (NDI) for functional status, and Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) joint position sense for neck awareness. Other outcomes included muscle strength, hand grip strength, muscle endurance, the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 (MIQ-3) for motor imagery ability, and the Recognize Neck Lateralization Test for mental rotation ability. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 8 weeks post-treatment, and 12 weeks follow-up. Overall, the results of the study revealed that both groups improved following treatment. However, the addition of MIT resulted in significantly greater improvements in pain behavior, functional status, neck awareness, pain pressure threshold, muscle performance, and disability. These findings suggest that integrating motor imagery training with motor control exercises provides greater functional and psychosocial benefits than exercise alone in women with chronic neck pain.