Effects of a Combined Motor Imagery and Action Observation Intervention on Vascular Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to identify the effects of combined motor imagery and action observation therapy on vascular cognitive impairment.

DESIGN

Thirty vascular cognitive impairment patients were randomly assigned into three groups. Cognitive training group was given conventional cognitive training, motor imagery + action observation group was treated with motor imagery and action observation therapy, and mixed therapy group was given conventional cognitive training and motor imagery + action observation therapy, for 8 wks continuously. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale, Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test, and event-related potential were used to evaluate the cognitive function at baseline, 4- and 8-wk posttreatment, and 1-mo follow-up.

RESULTS

There were significant time × group interactions in Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (F6,4.20 = 8.38, P < 0.001), event-related potential latent period (F6,294.24 = 5.10, P < 0.001), event-related potential amplitude (F6,1.68 = 23.08, P < 0.001), and Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test (F6,312.61 = 5.42, P < 0.001). Intragroup comparisons showed that Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale and Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test scores and event-related potential amplitude increased significantly (P < 0.05), and event-related potential latency decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in all groups. Intergroup comparisons showed that the changes of all outcomes in mixed therapy group were greater than those in cognitive training and motor imagery + action observation group (P < 0.05) after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the combination of cognitive training with motor imagery and action observation therapy is an effective treatment on cognitive function in people with vascular cognitive impairment.