Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy-An International Journal

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Effect of Mental Imagery on Upper Extremity Function in Stroke Patients


Affiliations
1 Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hamdard University, New Delhi, India
2 Physiotherapy, ISIC Institute of Rsciences Sciences, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, India
3 Physiotherapy, Depatment of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hamdard University, New Delhi, India
     

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Background

To determine the efficacy of mental imagery on the upper extremity function in chronic stroke patients.

Methods

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.

Outcome measures

Motor Activity Log and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (Upper extremity section).

Results

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.

Conclusions

Participation in a mental Imagery protocol can improve the upper extremity function in chronic stroke patients.


Keywords

Mental Imagery, Rehabilitation, Physical Practice, Stroke
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  • Effect of Mental Imagery on Upper Extremity Function in Stroke Patients

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Authors

Z. Nayeem
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hamdard University, New Delhi, India
M. Majumi
Physiotherapy, ISIC Institute of Rsciences Sciences, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, India
A. Fuzail
Physiotherapy, Depatment of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hamdard University, New Delhi, India

Abstract


Background

To determine the efficacy of mental imagery on the upper extremity function in chronic stroke patients.

Methods

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.

Outcome measures

Motor Activity Log and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (Upper extremity section).

Results

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.

Conclusions

Participation in a mental Imagery protocol can improve the upper extremity function in chronic stroke patients.


Keywords


Mental Imagery, Rehabilitation, Physical Practice, Stroke

References