Carvalho, RaquelBrochado, GabrielaLopes, SofiaCarvalho, LeticiaLopes, Sofia2025-07-082025-07-082019-10Carvalho, R., Brochado, G., Lopes, S., & Carvalho, L. (2019). Motor imagery program effect on the balance in older adult. 11o Simpósio de Metabolismo da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto - Revista Portuguesa de Diabetes, 14(4), 171. http://www.revportdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/RPD-DEZ-2019-Revista-Nacional-págs-164-175.pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.22/30202Motor Imagery is a mental representation of movement without real execution, and it seems to promote the increase and/or the maintenance of balance in different health conditions. The aim of this study it to verify the influence of a motor imagery intervention program on the balance in older adults without neurological conditions. A randomized controlled trial, pre-post intervention design with a 4-weeks follow-up was performed. Sixteen subjects were randomized into experimental group (n = 7) and control group (n = 9). The selection was performed through a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 and the Mini Mental State Examination. Subjects in the experimental group performed the motor imagery training, while the control group was listening a story (sham), both during 10 minutes, three-times-a-week for three weeks. Balance was assessed using the Single Leg Stance (SLS) and Functional Reach Test (FRT). To compare groups and moments within each group the Mann-Whitney test and the Wilcoxon test were used respectively, with a confidence level of 95%. There was differences between groups at follow-up in SLS (p=0.049). In the experimental group there was an improvement in SLS after intervention (p=0.018), that was maintained at follow-up. Moreover, during FRT the reach increased, however no statistical differences were found. In the control group no differences were found in all outcomes at all moments (p=0.197 and 0.104, in SLS and FRT respectively). It was found that the motor imagery program increased the amount of time in single leg stance which remained at follow-up.engAgeingLimits of stabilityMental practiceUnipodal supportconference poster