Motor Imagery for Prosthetic Gait Training in Transtibial Amputees

Background: People undergoing transtibial amputation (TTA) face impairments in gait,balance, confidence, pain, and prosthesis embodiment. Motor imagery (MI) is a cognitiveapproach for addressing motor and cognitive performance. The current study aimed to (1)explore the feasibility of MI for individuals with acute TTA and (2) investigate thepreliminary effects of MI on participants' functional status, gait, pain, prosthesisembodiment and imagery ability.Methods: Ten participants (age range: 46‐68 years, eight males) with acute unilateral TTAwere randomly allocated into two groups based on delivery timing of MI in relation totemporary prosthesis (Vessa) training: prior to (pre‐Vessa) or alongside (w‐Vessa), bothconcurrently with conventional physical therapy. Participants underwent eightindividualized MI sessions over two weeks. Data were collected at four timepoints: beforeand after MI, first independent prosthesis gait, and discharge from the hospital. Outcomemeasures included intervention feasibility, functional status, pain, prosthesisembodiment and imagery ability.