Motor Imagery Training for Upper Limb Functional Strength in Chronic Stroke Patients

Motor Imagery Training for Upper Limb Functional Strength in Chronic Stroke Patients

Stroke is a leading cause of upper extremity deficits worldwide. Persistent upper extremity dysfunction affects many post stroke patients and is strongly associated with decreased activities of daily living and poor quality of life.

There is accumulating evidence of a cross-over effect with training of one limb that slightly increase strength and coordination in contralateral untrained limb through neurological adaptations.

One of rehabilitation that is beneficial for stroke patient is motor imagery, a mental rehearsal of a movement that does not include physical movement has been shown to enhance upper limb function.

Evidence demonstrate that MI not only activates motor cortical and subcortical regions but also induces plastic change in motor networks and modulates synaptic activity at spinal level.

OBJECTIVE:

The objectives of this study are:

1. To improve upper limb functional strength.
2. To improve the upper limb coordination.
3. To improve upper limb functional improvement.

HYPOTHESIS

Alternate Hypothesis:

There will be statistically significant difference in effects of motor imagery technique combined with conventional physical therapy and in comparison to conventional physical therapy alone on upper limb functional strength, coordination and functional improvement in chronic stroke. (p<0.05).

Null Hypothesis:

There will be no statistically significant difference in effects of motor imagery technique combined with conventional physical therapy and in comparison to conventional physical therapy alone on upper limb functional strength, coordination and functional improvement in chronic stroke. (p>0.05).

Research Design: Experimental study. Randomized Control Trial

Inclusion Criteria:

• Stroke duration 6 months onwards (chronic stroke).
• age 45 years and above.
• Both genders.
• Access cognitive function score > 24 on MoCA.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with any comorbidity, previous surgery and congenital anomly.
• Patient with any fracture/ MSK disorders.
• Score 3 or more on Modified Ashworth scale.
• Patients with hearing impairments