EFFECTIVENESS OF GRADED MOTOR IMAGERY IN MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS: A REVIEW OF LITERATURE

¹DIVYA KASHYAP, ¹ABHISHEK KUMAR SANDILYA, ²RITA SHARMA

1 Sardar Bhagwan Singh University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

2 Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India

Review Article

SALT Journal of Scientific Research in Healthcare, Volume 4, Issue 1, Page 77-83, Published on 13^th June 2024, https://doi.org/10.56735/saltjsrh.ms2404017783

ABSTRACT

Musculoskeletal disorders pose a significant global health burden with a substantial impact on individuals and healthcare systems. Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) is a novel and emerging approach in musculoskeletal rehabilitation based on the principles of neuroplasticity. This literature review aimed to evaluate the available evidence for the efficacy of GMI in diverse musculoskeletal pathologies. GMI is a multicomponent rehabilitation strategy that includes laterality recognition, motor imagery, and mirror therapy. It is hypothesized that the overall GMI program aims to create neural adaptations, reduce pain, and reduce disability. This review evaluated the effects of GMI from Randomized Controlled Trials on pain reduction, pain-related disability, strength, physical function, and fear of movement.

Keywords: Graded Motor Imagery (GMI), Neuroplasticity, Musculoskeletal rehabilitation, Pain reduction, Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs).