Determination of the Effects of Motor Imagery on Learning Infant Massage

Motor imagery is the mental rehearsal of simple or complex motor movements in which no clear body movement occurs. It can also be defined as the mental simulation of movement without revealing any real motor movement. Studies have shown that similar brain regions are activated during the performance of the movement and the imagery of the movement. According to the results obtained from advanced imaging techniques, it has been reported that activations occur in similar areas during motor imagery and physical performance, including brain areas such as premotor areas, parietal lobe, basal ganglia, anterior cingulate cortex, and cerebellum. When the literature is examined, it has been seen that motor imagery applications are used in many different areas. In 2021, the effect of motor imagery training on students' motor imagery levels and practice in the education of medical school students by Collet et al. was investigated. As a result of the training, it was reported that motor skills improved and it strengthened the learning of medical skills.

Inclusion Criteria:Individuals over the age of 18To be taking the Pediatric Rehabilitation course for the first time in the Fall semester of the academic year 2022-2023 at the Eastern Mediterranean University, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.Exclusion Criteria:Having serious vision and hearing problems,Having serious attention problems,Having a musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, or other disease severe enough to preclude participation in the study.Prior participation in any kind of motor imagery training