Shun Sawai

By Shun Sawai, Shoya Fujikawa, Ryosuke Yamamoto and Hideki Nakano

Attention focus plays an essential role in promoting motor performance and motor learning. There are two types of attention focus: internal focus and external focus. Internal focus refers to direct attention inside the body while external focus refers to direct attention outside the body. Several studies have reported that external focus positively affects motor performance and motor learning by promoting automatic control. The mechanisms of attention focus have been examined using electromyography (EMG), electroencephalography (EEG), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). During rehabilitation, therapists promote patients’ movement acquisition and motor learning. This chapter reviews the application of attention focus in rehabilitation to promote motor performance and motor learning in patients.

Part of the book: Neurorehabilitation and Physical Therapy

By Ryu Ushio, Kousuke Tamura, Shoya Fujikawa, Chihiro Ohsumi, Shun Sawai, Ryosuke Yamamoto and Hideki Nakano

Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) is a noninvasive method involving the repetitive magnetic stimulation of peripheral nerves and muscles. Recently, its potential as a new neuromodulation technique for sensory motor disorders has been recognized. Its advantages include less pain than with electrical stimulation and that neuromuscular stimulation can be performed over clothing. These advantages make it a practical and straightforward adjunct tool widely used in clinical practice. In particular, the combination of rPMS and general rehabilitation reportedly promotes functional improvement in stroke patients with difficult involuntary contractions. This chapter reviews rPMS and its potential clinical applications in rehabilitation.

Part of the book: Neurorehabilitation and Physical Therapy

By Shoya Fujikawa, Chihiro Ohsumi, Ryu Ushio, Kousuke Tamura, Shun Sawai, Ryosuke Yamamoto and Hideki Nakano

Improving standing posture balance is an essential role of rehabilitation to prevent falls in the elderly and stroke victims. Recently, motor imagery has been reported to be an effective method to improve standing posture balance. Motor imagery is a simulation of a movement in the brain without actual movement. Motor imagery is believed to have a common neural basis with actual movement and is effective in reconstructing motor functions. Recently, it has also been shown that motor imagery can be enhanced through use in combination with neuromodulation techniques. In this chapter, motor imagery contributing to the improvement of standing postural balance and its combination with neuromodulation techniques are reviewed.

Part of the book: Neurorehabilitation and Physical Therapy

By Shun Sawai, Shoya Fujikawa, Ryosuke Yamamoto and Hideki Nakano

Neurofeedback (NFB) is a closed-loop technique in which the patient receives feedback on brain activity to encourage voluntary control of brain activity. NFB promotes neuroplasticity and changes the brain functionally and structurally. Motor imagery-based NFB (MI-NFB) can improve motor imagery ability by providing feedback on brain activity during motor imagery, thereby showing effectiveness in performance and motor learning. Furthermore, the effects of MI-NFB are further enhanced when it is combined with noninvasive brain stimulation and motor exercise. Therefore, MI-NFB is used in the physiotherapy of patients with neurological diseases, such as stroke and Parkinson disease, as well as children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and elderly people. This chapter reviews MI-NFB in physiotherapy practice, thus contributing to the development of effective evidence-based physiotherapy.

Part of the book: Physical Therapy