Motor Imagery Reaction Time in Individuals With Paraplegic Spinal Cord Injury

Upper and Lower Extremity Motor Imagery Reaction Time in Individuals With Paraplegic Spinal Cord Injury: A Comparative Study With Healthy Controls

Individuals aged 18-65 years who have been clinically diagnosed with spinal cord injury and have developed paraplegia will be included in the study. Demographic and clinical data of the participants, including age, sex, height, weight, etiology of injury, level of injury, duration of injury, and comorbidities, will be recorded. In addition, disease-specific characteristics such as ambulation status, wheelchair use, presence of incontinence, and presence and severity of pain will be assessed. For the healthy control group, demographic data including age, sex, height, weight, and comorbidities will be recorded.

Motor imagery performance of the participants will be evaluated using a computer-based left/right judgment task. In this context, both upper extremity (hand) and lower extremity (foot) images will be used to record reaction time (motor imagery reaction time) and accuracy rate. All tests will be performed under standardized conditions, in a seated position, and using the same device.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged between 18 and 65 years
• Clinically diagnosed with spinal cord injury
• Presence of paraplegia
• Injury duration of at least 3 months
• Medically stable condition
• Ability to understand and follow study instructions
• Ability to complete the computer-based left/right judgment task
• Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent
• For the healthy control group: age- and sex-compatible individuals without a history of neurological or major musculoskeletal disease, willing to participate and provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Tetraplegia
• History of other neurological disorders that may affect motor imagery performance
• Severe cognitive impairment or communication problems preventing proper participation
• Severe visual impairment uncorrected by glasses or lenses
• Upper or lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders, deformities, or recent injuries that may affect task performance
• Severe psychiatric disorder
• Uncontrolled pain or acute medical condition at the time of assessment
• Current participation in another interventional clinical study