INTRODUCTION :
Motor imagery is defined as “a dynamic state during which the
representation of a specific motor action is internally reactivated within working
memory without any overt motor output” and “occurring from the first person
perspective.”15
A fast growing number of studies indicated that areas in brain engaged in the
performance of movement are also active during motor imagery. Motor imagery
might be used alongside physical rehabilitation in patients with neurological
disorders and will probably be most effective in the reorganization of brain
patterns is most prominent.
AIM :
To find out the effect of motor imagery with conventional physical
therapy in upper extremity functions in hemiparetic stroke patients.
OBJECTIVES :
1. To find out the effect of motor imagery with conventional physical
therapy in upper extremity functions in hemiparetic stroke patients
2. To find out the effect of conventional physical therapy alone in upper
extremity functions in hemiparetic stroke patients.
3. To compare the effects of motor imagery with conventional physical
therapy and conventional physical therapy alone in improving upper
extremity functions in hemiparetic stroke patients.
Study design : Pre test post test experimental study
design. Study population : Twenty ischemic MCA stroke patients with Movement
imagery questionnaire-revised (MIQ-R) score more than 25 were taken into study.
They were randomly assigned into group 1 and group 2 with ten patients in each
group. Intervention : Patients in group 1 received motor imagery with
conventional physical therapy. Patients in group 2 received conventional physical
therapy alone. Motor imagery was given for about 1 hour a day, divided into two
20 min sessions with 10 min rest in between for 5 days a week. Conventional
physical therapy was given for 1 to 1 ½ hours a day for 5 days a week. Treatment
was given for 3 weeks duration. Outcome measures : The upper extremity section
of Fugl-Meyer Assessment was used to assess the upper extremity function.
RESULTS : After 3 weeks of intervention patients in group 1 showed greater
improvement in upper extremity function than patients in group 2. CONCLUSION :
Motor imagery is an effective tool and it can be incorporated into conventional
physical therapy to improve upper extremity function
