Graded Motor Imagery (GMI)

Introduction

Graded Motor Imagery or GMI is another management option for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or CRPS that have shown in some studies to be effective.

Many physiotherapists and OT's also use Mirror Therapy also known as Mirror Visual Feedback (O’Connell, N.E. et al 2016) as another management option for CRPS. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a complex and difficult condition not only to diagnose but also to treat, therefore finding a treatment that can help every CRPS patient is extremely difficult as all CRPS patients are individuals where their CRPS signs and symptoms are concerned.

Graded Motor Imagery is just one of a range of CRPS management options that have been included in the Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) guidelines from the Royal College of Physicians in the UK. We’ve previously written an article on Mirror Therapy as a CRPS treatment however this current article focuses on the Graded Motor Imagery Programme (GMI) for CRPS.

What is Graded Motor Imagery (GMI)?

Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) was first developed by Professor Lorimer Moseley and is an up to date rehabilitation programme that has been based on clinical trials and the latest science. GMI is seen as a cost-effective and noninvasive treatment with limited adverse effects and complications (Limakatso, K. et al 2016).

In the 2016 systematic review of interventions (O’Connell, et al 2016) that was aimed at reducing pain, disability, or both, in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), Graded Motor Imagery or GMI was found to may be effective for pain and function when compared with the usual CRPS treatment options.

Johnson, S. 2013 concluded that Graded Motor Imagery is an approach used for the rehabilitation of patients with chronic pain; it aims to activate the cortical networks involved in sensory-motor processing.

The GMI or Graded Motor Imagery Programme for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a 3 stage treatment that aims to gradually engage cortical motor networks without triggering the protective response of pain.(Bowering, K. et al 2013)

What Tools Are Involved In Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) for CRPS?

According to the Ranelli, S. (2013) GMI uses 2 main tools including: Flash cards – which are a random collection of pictures of hands and feet in different postures and position and doing different tasks. They are used to help re-train the ability to recognise where the body or body part is in space.

A computer programme OR App called ‘Recognise’ However you can also include magazines, imagination and creativity to the list of tools that you can use for Graded Motor Imagery (GMI).

Recognise™ App

The Recognise™ app has been developed and released by the NOI Group™ and is available for both iPhones/iPads and Android.

Screenshot of the Recognise App for hands

Here is a screenshot of the Recognise™ app via iTunes - Copyright NOIGroup

The app uses the same pictures as in the flash cards and also assesses your accuracy (how many of the positions and postures you recognise correctly as left or right side) and the time it took for you to record your response.

This means that you can take a step-by-step approach to improving your recognition ability and this is usually associated with a decrease in pain and an improvement in your function.

It is available for the following areas of the body:

Foot
Knee
Back
Hand
Neck
Shoulder

As we’ve just mentioned, the app accurately measures both the accuracy and speed of recognising an image of the body as either the left or right. This is the first stage of the Graded Motor Imagery Programme and it is otherwise known as Left/Right discrimination. The app provides the option to vary the number of images and the length of time the user has to view each image.

As part of the Recognise™ Hands app, to increase complexity, the user can progress through ‘Vanilla Hands’, ‘Context Hands’ and ‘Abstract Hands’.

The Recognise™ app also helps the patient go through the second stage of the Graded Motor Imagery Programme; explicit motor imagery.

The app is considered a simple tool to help a patient go through the Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) Programme. However the NOI Group™ website – Graded Motor Imagery does explain in detail the process of graded motor imagery (GMI), and how to incorporate the use of the Recognise™ app. You can purchase the Recognise™ app via the NOI Group™ website at a cost of £5.99 (AUS$9.99) or via your phone's app suite/centre.

Features of the Recognise™ App

There are a number of features as part of the Recognise™ app and according to the NOI Group™’s app description, these are:

‘Memory’ and ‘Speed Match’ tools to take your training to the next level
Graded difficulty levels and personal best challenges
Detailed onscreen results and graphs to map your progress
Powerful clinical integration tools – export and email your results directly to your clinician or therapist
Capture your own images on your phone or table and use them in your training
Comprehensive explanation of the science behind left/right discrimination and Graded Motor Imagery

Recognise™ App Features taken from iTunes

Stages of Graded Motor Imagery (GMI)

The GMI treatment programme involves 3 progressive stages that are designed to exercise the brain in different ways. These techniques or stages are delivered sequentially but this is flexible and can be moved forwards, backwards or sideways by the clinician to completely suit the patient. If symptoms occur in one of the sequential steps, the clinician may go back to the previous step to decrease the unwanted symptoms.Those stages are:

Left/Right discrimination – Identify left or right images of their painful limb or body part
Explicit motor imagery – Thinking about moving without actually moving
Mirror therapy – This is mentioned in a separate article – How To Use Mirror Therapy for CRPS (Graded Motor Imagery website) The GMI treatment programme involves 3 progressive stages that are designed to exercise the brain in different ways. These techniques or stages are delivered sequentially but this is flexible and can be moved

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*This article on Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) is for information purposes only. Please note Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) is not meant to replace your regular current treatment regime, it is usually explained to you and practiced in a hospital or clinic setting. If in doubt please contact your doctor or pain specialist. Burning Nights CRPS Support cannot be held liable for any injury, loss, accidental damage. Please refer to the Disclaimer for full details.