1Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hamdard University, New Delhi
2Physiotherapy, ISIC Institute of Rsciences Sciences, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
3Physiotherapy, Depatment of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hamdard University, New Delhi
Online published on 29 February, 2012.
To determine the efficacy of mental imagery on the upper extremity function in chronic stroke patients.
Thirty patients recruited for the study were randomly assigned to one of the two groups, experimental group having 9 males and 6 females with mean age of 47.53 + 5.50 years and mean duration of stroke in years was 3.26+2.09 and control group with 11 males and 4 females with mean age of 50.13+5.09 and mean duration of stroke in years was 2.24+1.11.
Subjects in experimental group received physical practice of Activities of daily living (trained) prior to mental imagery for 15 minutes in each session, 4 days a week for 3 weeks. The Activities of daily living practiced by the subjects were chosen on the basis of the week of the treatment. Subjects in control group received same therapy regimen as those in experimental group except mental imagery. Their therapist's contact parameters were identical to those of experimental group subjects. Control subjects received conventional physiotherapy regimen for 15 minutes after the physical practice.
Motor Activity Log and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (Upper extremity section).
Subjects who received mental imagery showed improvement in Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores and Quality of movement scores but the Amount of use scores did not show a significant increase. In contrast controls showed nominal increase of scores.
Participation in a mental Imagery protocol can improve the upper extremity function in chronic stroke patients.
Mental imagery, Rehabilitation, Physical practice, Stroke
