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.