This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Simmons, L. Articles by Pomeroy, V. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Simmons, L. Articles by Pomeroy, V. M. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Motor Imagery to Enhance Recovery After Subcortical Stroke: Who Might Benefit, Daily Dose, and Potential Effects

University of Cambridge

Nikhil Sharma, MB, ChB, MRCP (UK)

University of Cambridge

Jean-Claude Baron, MD, FRCP, FMedSci

University of Cambridge

Valerie M. Pomeroy, PhD

St George's University of London (now University of East Anglia), v.pomeroy{at}uea.ac.uk

Background. Motor imagery may enhance motor recovery after stroke. Objectives. To estimate the proportion of patients able to perform motor imagery, the feasibility of delivery of motor imagery training (MIT), and the effects of MIT on motor recovery in an exploratory study. Methods. An immediate pretreatment and posttreatment single-group design was used to study 10 patients after subcortical stroke with neuromuscular weakness in the upper limb. MIT that included upper limb activities reflecting everyday tasks was provided for 10 consecutive working days. Measures included assessment of chaotic motor imagery, patient report of tolerability of MIT, Motricity Index (MI), Nine Hole Peg Test (9HPT), and quality of movement (MAL-QOM). MIT dose was changed in response to patient feedback. Graphed motor function scores were inspected visually for clinically important changes. Results. Four of the 10 patients were unable to perform motor imagery. Patient opinion was positive about the content and shaped daily dose of MIT given in two 20-minute periods separated by a 10-minute rest. Clinically important changes in motor scores were found. Four patients increased MI score (range 8-16), 3 patients increased 9HPT score (range 0.02-0.04 pegs/second), and 4 patients increased MAL-QOM score (range 0.63-1.29). Conclusions. MIT was received positively by patients, but 40% were unable to perform imagery and interindividual variations were found on motor function.

Key Words: Stroke • Rehabilitation • Physical therapy Motor imagery.

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, Vol. 22, No. 5, 458-467 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1545968308315597


CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. H. Dobkin Progressive Staging of Pilot Studies to Improve Phase III Trials for Motor Interventions Neurorehabil Neural Repair, March 1, 2009; 23(3): 197 - 206. [Abstract] [PDF]