Comparative Effects of Kinesthetic Motor Imagery and Dual-Task Training on Balance and Cognitive Function in Young Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial

Comparative Effects of Kinesthetic Motor Imagery and Dual-Task Training on Balance and Cognitive Function in Young Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of kinesthetic motor imagery training and dual-task training on cognitive and motor functions in healthy young people. The main question[s] it aims to answer are:

• Kinesthetic motor imagery training and dual-task training do not affect cognitive and motor functions in healthy young people.
• Kinesthetic motor imagery training and dual-task training affect cognitive and motor functions in healthy youth.
• In healthy young people, kinesthetic motor imagery training is more effective on cognitive functions than dual-task training.
• In healthy young people, dual task training is more effective on motor functions than kinesthetic motor imagery training.

Participants will be divided into 3 groups, taking into account the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants in each group will be asked to fill out the sociodemographic form before starting the training. Then, initial assessments were the Motion Image Questionnaire-3 to measure motor imagery ability, and the Box and Block Test for mental stopwatch; Stroop Test to measure cognitive functions; In order to evaluate the dual-task performance, the measurement of the dual-task effect and the Berg Balance scale, which evaluates balance as a motor function, and the Y test, which is frequently used in healthy individuals, will be applied. In the balance exercises group, the participants will do the determined balance exercises 3 days a week for 6 weeks, accompanied by a physiotherapist. In the double-task training group, the participants will perform the cognitive tasks in addition to the determined balance exercises, 3 days a week for 6 weeks, accompanied by a physiotherapist. In kinesthetic motor imagery group, the participants will do the physically determined balance exercises in the first session. Participants will participate in imagery exercises, 3 sessions a week for 6 weeks. Visualization studies will be performed in a quiet environment with the eyes closed, accompanied by a physiotherapist, and whether the participants perform a real motor imagery will be examined by evaluating their autonomic functions. At the end of 6 weeks, initial evaluations will be repeated in all groups.

The investigators will compare dual-task training group, kinesthetic motor imagery training group and balance exercises group to see if changes in cognitive and motor function.

Inclusion Criteria:

• be between the ages of 18 and 25,
• Absence of a known disease (neurological, mental, orthopedic, vestibular, visual, systemic),
• Unfamiliar with the evaluation and use of motor imagery,
• Individuals who agree to the objectives of this study and to participate voluntarily.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Those who have taken oral corticosteroids or antibiotics within a month,
• Presence of diagnosed systemic or neurological disease.