Movement in the mind’s eye (MIME): an interdisciplinary initiative for understanding mobility and improving clinical practice for rehabilitation therapy

A recently funded initiative brings together scientists to develop therapies for patients suffering from a range of mobility deficits (injury, recovery from surgery, stroke, cerebral palsy, arthritis, visual impairment). The team includes scientists from psychology, rehabilitation medicine, bioengineering, geomatics, kinesiology, and neurology. A study and intervention strategy is proposed that examines: (a) the movements of the body itself and its biomechanical adaptations when faced with deficits, (b) sensory inputs both from the environment and from proprioception, (c) internal models of the body and of environmental space, (d) mental and motor imagery, (e) movement planning and anticipatory strategies, (e) plasticity and adaptation, and (f) environmental constraints. Furthermore, intervention strategies include (1) environmental design, (2) education and training, (3) the development of prostheses and braces as well as (4) feedback concerning the efficacy of surgical procedures. Research methodologies include cognitive and biomechanical behavioural studies, the analysis of sensory inputs, brain imaging studies, computer simulations and modelling, instrument prototyping and development, and the development of formal theory. The study also addresses a range of movement competencies, including studies of expert dancers and top athletes as well as healthy controls and patients with mobility, sensory or neurological deficits. However, both experts and patients with deficits are more viewed as more similar than they are different – experts are susceptible to deficits (injuries) and their expertise is characterised by changes in brain organization that resemble those found in patients.