1Head, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
2Professor, Department Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
3Dean, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
4Consultant Neurologist, Neuroscience Center, King Fahd Specialist Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Dammam University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
5Head Stroke UnitKing Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
6Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
7Physical Therapist, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, CN Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Online published on 20 November, 2014.
Introduction: Stroke is a very limiting disease for the patient and a major health problem in most parts of the world. Activity limitations of the upper extremity are a common finding for individuals living with the effects of stroke, with its prevalence reported between 33% and 95% of this population. This study aims to explore whether imagery involves the activation of primary sensory cortices and to determine the therapeutic effectiveness and benefits of mental imagery training for arm function in chronic stroke patients.
Material & Method: The study was conducted as a randomized, pre-post pilot project with four patient groups. Patients underwent imagery ability screening using the mental chronometry, autonomic monitoring before group allocation and randomization. We also assessed the patients on Motor Activity Log (MAL) to assess motor impairment in the affected Upper extremity. F-wave, f MRI along with MAL was administered.
Result Recovery between baseline and outcome assessment was evident on all outcome variables. However, no differences between the three groups were found on the primary outcome measure.
Conclusion: The results support the efficacy of programs incorporating mental practice for rehabilitating affected arm function in patients with chronic stroke. Mental imagery is a clinically feasible, cost-effective complement to the therapy that may improve outcomes more than participation in therapy only. This concept in the clinical settings can provide an additional benefit in improving the upper limb function in stroke patients.
Stroke, Hemiplegia, Mental Imagery, Stroke Rehabilitation
