Effect of Mental Training on the Balance Control Ability of Healthy Subjects

[Purpose] This study investigated the effect of physical training with visual feedback and mental training with motor imagery on balance control ability. [Subjects] Twenty-one healthy adults (male/female: 7/14, mean age: 19.8 ± 0.1 years) with no history of neurological or orthopedic problems were enrolled in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into a physical training group (PTG), a mental training group (MTG), and a control group (CG). [Methods] PTG and MTG performed a dynamic balance task with physical and mental training, respectively, in a 30-minute training session, 5 days a week for 3 weeks. The CG did not receive any training. The outcomes of postural balance were evaluated in terms of the performance time and sway length measured by a force platform. [Results] In the baseline test, the three groups showed similar demographic data, performance time, and sway length. The PTG and MTG showed a significant decrease in performance time, but neither group showed any significant change in sway length. There was no significant difference in the CG. [Conclusion] Our findings indicate that physical balance training with visual feedback as well as mental balance training with motor imagery is effective. Therefore, mental training could contribute to improving dynamic balance ability in a cost-effective home-based training program.