Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 2022 , Vol 32 , Num 3
Motor Imagery in Cervical Discogenic Pain
Tuğba DERE1,İpek ALEMDAROĞLU GÜRBÜZ2
1Yozgat Bozok Üniversitesi, Sarıkaya Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Yüksekokulu, Yozgat, Türkiye
2Hacettepe Üniversitesi, Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon Fakültesi, Ankara, Türkiye
Cervical discogenic pain is a common pain syndrome associated with sensory disturbances and chronic pain in the head, neck, and upper extremities caused by cervical disc degeneration. In addition to the presence of pain in individuals with cervical discogenic pain, it is known that the nerve pathways are affected as a result of compression of the spinal nerves, and a change in the volume of the representative regions of the cortex occurs. It has been determined that the motor imagery ability, which is a part of the cognitive process, is also affected and these individuals improve in parameters such as muscle strength and pain with the motor imagery training added to the rehabilitation programs. The aim of this review is to reveal how motor imagery ability is affected in individuals with discogenic pain and the role of motor imagery training in rehabilitation programs. Existing studies, despite the insufficient level of evidence, show the necessity of including motor imagery studies in treatment programs in order to improve factors such as pain management and physical condition in individuals with chronic neck pain. It was concluded that more studies are needed to better understand the motor imagery ability and to establish standard training protocols in individuals with cervical discogenic pain. Anahtar Kelimeler : Degenerative disc disease, Cervical spine, Pain, Imagery