JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Neuromuscular activation disorders are frequently observed after trauma, surgery, or chronic pain. They manifest as difficulty in effectively recruiting certain muscle groups, resulting in weakness, movement desynchronization, and inappropriate co-contractions [2][3]. These disturbances can slow functional recovery, perpetuate pain, and reinforce fear of movement. A range of therapeutic solutions are available to practitioners to help their patients improve symptoms, but these methods can be invasive and have side-effects (injections, medications, etc.) [5].

Objective:

To describe an original method of neuromuscular reactivation through guided visualization, combining mindfulness and motor imagery, and to present its digital implementation via the Yuzit® application. This novel approach targets specific chronic pain partly linked to persistent muscle activation disorders observed after trauma (physical or emotional), surgery, morphological or hormonal changes (rapid growth, menopause, etc.).

Methods:

The protocol combines two successive sequences: (1) a brief mindfulness phase lasting 2 to 3 minutes and aimed at focusing attention on bodily sensations and improving concentration; (2) a guided motor imagery phase, during which the patient mentally visualizes the muscle contraction without actually performing it after viewing a video of the movement. The sessions (10 to 50 minutes) are conducted at least twice a week in a calm environment with the patient comfortably positioned, preferably in a supine pose. The audiovisual guidance offers instructions in a language adapted voice. An assessment is performed using the Visual Analgoue Scale (VAS) and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) scales before commencing, before session 3, and after session 5. The digital version via Yuzit® standardizes the method, collects self-measurements, and guarantees data anonymization and security.

Results:

We analyzed the first 30 patients who used the application for musculoskeletal pain, and the results show an average decrease in the VAS score from 5.41 to 3.83 (29.2%) and an increase in the SANE score from 54.23 to 64.47 (18.9%).

Conclusions:

Guided visualization combining mindfulness and motor imagery constitutes a non-invasive and standardizable neurocognitive approach, compatible with rehabilitation practices. The Yuzit® application allows access to this modality on a digital platform thus potentially facilitating its dissemination, traceability, and clinical integration.